Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SLEEPERS, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES Poet Analysis First Line: As I walked down the waterside Last Line: And long before their time they die. Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H. Subject(s): Homeless; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers | ||||||||
As I walked down the waterside This silent morning, wet and dark; Before the cocks in farmyards crowed, Before the dogs began to bark; Before the hour of five was struck By old Westminster's mighty clock: As I walked down the waterside This morning, in the cold damp air, I saw a hundred women and men Huddled in rags and sleeping there: These people have no work, thought I, And long before their time they die. That moment, on the waterside, A lighted car came at a bound; I looked inside, and saw a score Of pale and weary men that frowned; Each man sat in a huddled heap, Carried to work while fast asleep. Ten cars rushed down the waterside Like lighted coffins in the dark; With twenty dead men in each car, That must be brought alive by work: These people work too hard, thought I, And long before their time they die. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER WORKING SIXTY HOURS AGAIN FOR WHAT REASON by HICOK. BOB DAY JOB AND NIGHT JOB by ANDREW HUDGINS BIXBY'S LANDING by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON BUILDING WITH STONE by ROBINSON JEFFERS LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS IN CALIFORNIA: MORNING, EVENING, LATE JANUARY by DENISE LEVERTOV A BIRD'S ANGER by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES |
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