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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN HOSPITAL: 13. CASUALTY, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: As with varnish red and glistening
Last Line: But her lip was grey and writhen.
Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E.
Subject(s): Hospitals
First Line: As with varnish red and glistening
Last Line: But her lip was grey and writhen.
Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E.
Subject(s): Hospitals
As with varnish red and glistening,
Dripped his hair; his feet looked rigid;
Raised, he settled stiffly sideways:
You could see his hurts were spinal.
He had fallen from an engine,
And had been dragged along the metals.
It was hopeless, and they knew it;
So they covered him, and left him.
As he lay, by fits half-sentient,
Inarticulately moaning,
With his stockinged soles protruded
Stark and awkward from the blankets,
To his bed there came a woman,
Stood and looked and sighed a little,
And departed without speaking,
As himself a few hours after.
I was told it was his sweetheart.
They were on the eve of marriage.
She was quiet as a statue,
But her lip was grey and writhen.
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