I WALKED a city street, and suddenly I saw a tiny lad. The winter wind Howled fitfully, and all the air above The clear-cut outline of the buildings tall Seemed full of knives that cut against the face: An awful night among the unhoused poor! The boy was tattered; both his hands were thrust For show of warmth within his pocket-holes, Where pockets had not been for many a day. One trouser-leg was long enough to hide The naked flesh, but one, in mockery A world too short, though he was monstrous small, Left bare and red his knee -- a cruel thing! Then swelled my selfish heart with tenderness And pity for the waif: to think of one So young, so seeming helpless, homeless too, Breasting the night, a-shiver with the cold! Gaining a little, soon I passed him by, My fingers reaching for a silver coin To make him happier, if only for An hour, when -- I marveled as I heard -- His mouth was puckered up in cheery wise, And in the very teeth of fortune's frown He whistled loud a scrap of some gay tune! And I must know that all my ready tears Fell on a mood more merry than mine own. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OPPORTUNITY by NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI ON THE MOOR by ROBERT ADAMSON (1832-) OUR BIRTH-CORD by KOFI ANYIDOHO ON THE BIRTH OF A FRIEND'S ELDEST SON by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE GREEN GRENADIERS by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |