Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SAD PERVERSITY by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN BUT A LITTLE BOY, IT SEEMED
Last Line: I AM A LITTLE BOY.
Subject(s): BOYS; DREAMS; NIGHTMARES;
WHEN but a little boy, it seemed
My dearest rapture ran
In fancy ever, when I dreamed
I was a man -- a man!

Now -- sad perversity! -- my theme
Of rarest, purest joy
Is when, in fancy blest, I dream
I am a little boy.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net