Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LAST OF THE NEW YEAR'S CALLERS, by HENRY CUYLER BUNNER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The door is shut-I think the fine old face Last Line: In front of the old-time door that's shut. Subject(s): Holidays; New Year; New York City; Manhattan; New York, New York; The Big Apple | ||||||||
The door is shutI think the fine old face Trembles a little, round the under lip; His look is wistfulcan it be the place Where, at his knock, the bolt was quick to slip (It had a knocker then), when, bravely decked, He took, of New Year's, with his lowest bow. His glass of egg-nog, white and nutmeg-flecked, From her who iswhere is the young bride now? O Greenwood, answer! Through your ample gate There went a hearse, these many years ago; And often by a gravemore oft of late Stands an old gentleman, with hair like snow. Two graves he stands by, truly; for the friend Who won her, long has lain beside his wife; And their old comrade, waiting for the end, Remembers what they were to him in life. And now he stands before the old-time door, A little gladdened in his lonely heart To give of love for those that are no more To those that live to-day a generous part. Ay, She has gone, sweet, loyal, brave, and gay But then, her daughter's grown and wed the while; And the old custom lingers: New Year's Day, Will she not greet him with her mother's smile? But things are changed, ah, things are changed you see; We keep no New Year's, now, not we It's an old-time day, And an old-time way, And an old-time fashion we've chosen to cut And the dear old man May wait as he can In front of the old-time door that's shut. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...READY FOR THE CANNERY by BERTON BRALEY TRANTER IN AMERICA by AUGUST KLEINZAHLER MEETING YOU AT THE PIERS by KENNETH KOCH FEBRUARY EVENING IN NEW YORK by DENISE LEVERTOV ON 52ND STREET by PHILIP LEVINE THREE POEMS FOR NEW YORK by JOSEPHINE MILES NEW YORK SUBWAY by HILDA MORLEY THE CHAPERON by HENRY CUYLER BUNNER |
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