Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE RUINED INN, by CARROLL RYAN



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RUINED INN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Beside the highway stands a ruined inn
Last Line: That time of sunrise and of boyish dreams.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ryan, William Thomas Carroll
Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Country Life


Beside the highway stands a ruined inn,
Luxuriant moss has spread its roof all o'er;
No voice is heard, no footstep makes a din;
The grass is waving at the open door.
Winds whistle freely thro' the broken panes—
A ghostly echo of forgotten strains.

The cheerful hearth that once was used to throw
Its light and warmth thro' every friendly room,
And cast its gleam far out on drifting snow,
Is bare and vacant as a rifled tomb.
Grim desolation broods about the spot,
With mildew odors, like sepulchral rot.

Yet I remember in the bygone years,
When Weller's four-horse, yellow equipage
Came whirling from Toronto, 'mid the cheers
Of villagers who came to meet the stage.
No gayer place than this could then be found
For many miles the country side around.

Old Amos and his pretty daughter Kate
Then ruled benignant over bar and board.
O! how I loved her, O! how I did hate
The man who married her whom I adored.
How strange and far away it all now seems
That time of sunrise and of boyish dreams.





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