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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A ROUGH SKETCH by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: I CAUGHT, FOR A SECOND, ACROSS THE CROWD
Last Line: AND NOSE LIKE THE BEAK OF A BIRD OF PREY!
Subject(s): FACES; MOON; NATURE;

I caught, for a second, across the crowd --
Just for a second, and barely that --
A face, pox-pitted and evil-browed,
Hid in the shade of a slouch-rim'd hat --
With small gray eyes, of a look as keen
As the long, sharp nose that grew between.

And I said: 'Tis a sketch of Nature's own,
Drawn I' the dark o' the moon, I swear,
On a tatter of Fate that the winds have blown
Hither and thither and everywhere --
With its keen little sinister eyes of gray,
And nose like the beak of a bird of prey!



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