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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LITTLE MAN IN GREEN, by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas a little man in green
Last Line: "counting, ""three""."
Subject(s): Old Age; Solitude; Loneliness
First Line: Twas a little man in green
Last Line: "counting, ""three""."
Subject(s): Old Age; Solitude; Loneliness
'T WAS a little man in green,
And he sat upon a stone;
And he sat there all alone,
Whispering.
"One and two," so whispered he.
('Twas an ancient man and hoar)
"One and two," and then no more—
Never, "Three".
Hawthorn trees were quick with May—
"Sir," said I, "Good-day to you"!
But he counted. "One and two"
In strange way.
Fool I was—oh, fool was I
(Who should know the ways of them!)
That I touched his cloak's green hem,
Passing by.
I was fey with spring and mirth—
Speaking him without a thought—
Now is joy a thing forgot
On the earth.
Ere the sweet thorn-buds were through,
Wife and child doom-stricken lay,
Cold as winter, white as spray—
"One and two!"
Now I seek eternally
That grim Counter of the fen,
Praying he may count again—
Counting, "Three".
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
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SILENCE LIKE COOL SAND by PAT MORA
THE HONEY BEAR by EILEEN MYLES
A CHRISTMAS CHILD by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY