Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LIFE by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS

First Line: ONCE A THRONGED THROUGHFARE THAT WOUND AFAR
Last Line: FOOTSORE, AT NIGHTFALL LIMPING TO DEATH'S DOOR.
Subject(s): DEATH; WANDERING & WANDERERS; DEAD, THE; WANDERLUST; VAGABONDS; TRAMPS; HOBOES;
Once a thronged throughfare that wound afar
By shining streams, and waving fields and woods,
And festal cities and sweet solitudes,
All whither, onward to the utmost star:

Now a blind alley, lurking by the shore
Of stagnant ditches, walled with reeking crags,
Where one old heavy-hearted vagrant lags,
Footsore, at nightfall limping to Death's door.



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