Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ARMLESS ARTIST: CATASTROPHE by CORNELIUS WHUR

First Line: ALAS! ALAS!' THE FATHER SAID
Last Line: "THIS ARMLESS BOY WILL RUIN ME."
Subject(s): GRIEF; MERCY; PHYSICAL DISABILITIES; TRAGEDY; SORROW; SADNESS; HANDICAPPED; HANDICAPS; PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED; CRIPPLES;

[@3The lines below were suggested by seeing an artist who was born without
arms, who supports himself and his parents also by his
profession@1.—AUTHOR'S NOTE.]

"ALAS! alas!" the father said,
"O what a dispensation!
How can we be by mercy led,
In such a situation?
Be not surprised at my alarms,
The dearest boy is without arms! ...

"I have no hope, no confidence,
The scene around is dreary;
How can I meet such vast expense?
I am by trying weary.
You must, my dearest, plainly see
This armless boy will ruin me."



Home: PoetryExplorer.net