Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LAMENT by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY

Poet Analysis

First Line: LISTEN, CHILDREN: / YOUR FATHER IS DEAD
Last Line: I FORGET JUST WHY.
Subject(s): LAMENT; POVERTY; SOCIAL PROTEST;
LISTEN, children:
Your father is dead.
From his old coats
I'll make you little jackets;
I'll make you little trousers
From his old pants.
There'll be in his pockets
Things he used to put there,
Keys and pennies
Covered with tobacco;
Dan shall have the pennies
To save in his bank;
Anne shall have the keys

To make a pretty noise with.
Life must go on,
And the dead be forgotten;
Life must go on,
Though good men die;
Anne, eat your breakfast;
Dan, take your medicine;
Life must go on;
I forget just why.



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