EVEN as a child to whom sad neighbors speak In symbol, saying that his father "sleeps" -- Who feels their meaning, even as his cheek Feels the first tear-drop as it stings and leaps -- Who keenly knows his loss, and yet denies Its awful import -- grieves unreconciled, Moans, drowses -- rouses, with new-drowning eyes -- Even as a child. Even as a child; with empty, aimless hand Clasped sudden to the heart all hope deserts -- With tears that blur all lights on sea or land -- The lip that quivers and the throat that hurts: Even so, the Nation that has known his love Is orphaned now; and, whelmed in anguish wild Knows but its sorrow and the ache thereof, Even as a child. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FAREWELL TO NANCY by ROBERT BURNS MOONLIT APPLES by JOHN DRINKWATER THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE CRICKET by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT EPIGRAM: 59. ON SPIES by BEN JONSON THE BLUE BIRD by LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA IDYLL 16. TO THE EVENING STAR by BION |