Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OUTSIDE THE TOYSHOP, by JANE BARLOW



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OUTSIDE THE TOYSHOP, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Beside the door they stand, anear the pane
Last Line: Shall manhood's craving miss even these poor crumbs?
Subject(s): Bread; Food & Eating; Homeless; Hunger; Poverty


BESIDE the door they stand, anear the pane
Tricked with toy-wares. It is a dapple-grey
In smooth round wafers dight, and lifts alway
One prancing foot from grass-green board upta'en.
An urchin he, oft met down alley and lane,
Half lost in his wide old rags; agrin to-day,
Because he still with fearful joy dares lay
A stroking finger on that furry mane.

He tastes his perilous pleasure like a bird
Of quick small feet and wary eye, that comes
To peck strewn fragments, flown at breath scarce heard.
You smile among the hedgerows. In the slums
You think: When flits this child-glee lightly stirred,
Shall manhood's craving miss even these poor crumbs?





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