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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A LIFE-LESSON by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: THERE! LITTLE GIRL; DON'T CRY!
Last Line: THERE! LITTLE GIRL, DON'T CRY!
Subject(s): CHILDREN; CHILDHOOD;

THERE! little girl, don't cry!
They have broken your doll, I know;
And your tea-set blue,
And your play-house, too,
Are things of the long ago;
But childish troubles will soon pass by. --
There! little girl, don't cry!
There! little girl, don't cry!
They have broken your slate, I know;
And the glad, wild ways
Of your school-girl days
Are things of the long ago;
But life and love will soon come by. --
There! little girl, don't cry!
There! little girl, don't cry!
They have broken your heart, I know;
And the rainbow gleams
Of your youthful dreams
Are things of the long ago;
But heaven holds all for which you
sigh. --
There! little girl, don't cry!



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