Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HEREAFTER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: HEREAFTER, O WE NEED NOT
Last Line: THE MUTE BEYOND IS JUST.
Subject(s): DEATH; HAPPINESS; TEARS; DEAD, THE; JOY; DELIGHT;
HEREAFTER! O we need not waste
Our smiles or tears, whate'er befall:
No happiness but holds a taste
Of something sweeter, after all; --
No depth of agony but feels
Some fragment of abiding trust, --
Whatever Death unlocks or seals,
The mute beyond is just.



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