Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ROADSIDE POEMS: LITTLE ELFIE, by GEORGE MACDONALD Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I have a puppet-jointed child Last Line: Sleep shining through the dark. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Innocence; Childhood; Relatives | ||||||||
I HAVE a puppet-jointed child, She's but three half-years old; Through lawless hair her eyes gleam wild With looks both shy and bold. Like little imps, her tiny hands Dart out and push and take; Chide hera trembling thing she stands, And like two leaves they shake. But to her mind a minute gone Is like a year ago; And when you lift your eyes anon, Anon you must say No! Sometimes, though not oppressed with care, She has her sleepless fits; Then, blanket-swathed, in that round chair The elfish mortal sits; Where, if by chance in mood more grave, A hermit she appears Propped in the opening of his cave, Mummied almost with years; Or like an idol set upright With folded legs for stem, Ready to hear prayers all the night And never answer them. But where's the idol-hermit thrust? Her knees like flail-joints go! Alternate kiss, her mother must, Now that, now this big toe! I turn away from her, and write For minutes three or four: A tiny spectre, tall and white, She's standing by the door! Then something comes into my head That makes me stop and think: She's on the table, the quadruped, And dabbling in my ink! O Elfie, make no haste to lose Thy ignorance of offence! Thou hast the best gift I could choose, A heavenly confidence. 'Tis time, long-white-gowned Mrs. Ham, To put you in the ark! Sleep, Elfie, God-infolded lamb, Sleep shining through the dark. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY AUNT ELLA MAE by MICHAEL S. HARPER THE GOLDEN SHOVEL by TERRANCE HAYES LIZARDS AND SNAKES by ANTHONY HECHT THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND EYES: I LOVE by LYN HEJINIAN CHILD ON THE MARSH by ANDREW HUDGINS MY MOTHER'S HANDS by ANDREW HUDGINS PLAYING DEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS THE GLASS HAMMER by ANDREW HUDGINS INSECT LIFE OF FLORIDA by LYNDA HULL LOST AND FOUND by GEORGE MACDONALD THAT HOLY THING by GEORGE MACDONALD THE BABY, FR. AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND by GEORGE MACDONALD |
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