Classic and Contemporary Poetry
UNDER THE SHEET, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What a terrible night! Does the night Last Line: A shape and a sheet. Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs. Subject(s): Death; Love - Complaints; Marriage; Night; Dead, The; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Bedtime | ||||||||
WHAT a terrible night! Does the Night, I wonder The Night, with her black veil down to her feet Like an ordained nun, know what lies under That awful, motionless, snow-white sheet? The winds seem crazed, and, wildly howling, Over the sad earth blindly go. Do they and the dark clouds over them scowling, Do they dream or know? Why, here in the room, not a week or over Tho' it must be a week, not more than one (I cannot recken of late or discover When one day is ended or one begun), But here in this room we were laughing lightly, And glad was the measure our two hearts beat; And the royal face that was smiling so brightly Lies under that sheet. I know not whyit is strange and fearful, But I am afraid of her, lying there; She who was always so gay and cheerful, Lying so still with that stony stare: She who was so like some grand sultana, Fond of colour and glow and heat, To lie there clothed in that awful manner In a stark white sheet. She who was made out of summer blisses, Tropical, beautiful, gracious, fair, To lie and stare at my fondest kisses God! no wonder it whitens my hair Shriek, O wind! for the world is lonely; Trail cloud-veil to the nun Night's feet! For all that I prize in life is only A shape and a sheet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BREATH OF NIGHT by RANDALL JARRELL HOODED NIGHT by ROBINSON JEFFERS NIGHT WITHOUT SLEEP by ROBINSON JEFFERS WORKING OUTSIDE AT NIGHT by DENIS JOHNSON POEM TO TAKE BACK THE NIGHT by JUNE JORDAN COOL DARK ODE by DONALD JUSTICE POEM TO BE READ AT 3 A.M by DONALD JUSTICE |
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