Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A BALLAD FROM APRIL, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I am dazed and bewildered with living Last Line: And a something that weeps when I smile. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): April; Love; Summer | ||||||||
I AM dazed and bewildered with living A life but an intricate skein Of hopes and despairs and thanksgiving Wound up and unraveled again -- Till it seems, whether waking or sleeping, I am wondering ever the while At a something that smiles when I'm weeping, And a something that weeps when I smile. And I walk through the world as one dreaming Who knows not the night from the day, For I look on the stars that are gleaming, And lo, they have vanished away: And I look on the sweet-summer daylight, And e'en as I gaze it is fled, And, veiled in a cold, misty, gray light. The winter is there in its stead. I feel in my palms the warm fingers Of numberless friends -- and I look, And lo, not a one of them lingers To give back the pleasure he took; And I lift my sad eyes to the faces All tenderly fixed on my own, But they wither away in grimaces That scorn me, and leave me alone. And I turn to the woman that told me Her love would live on until death -- But her arms they no longer enfold me, Though barely the dew of her breath Is dry on the forehead so pallid That droops like the weariest thing O'er this most inharmonious ballad That ever a sorrow may sing. So I'm dazed and bewildered with living A life but an intricate skein Of hopes and despairs and thanksgiving Wound up and unraveled again -- Till it seems, whether waking or sleeping, I am wondering ever the while At a something that smiles when I'm weeping And a something that weeps when I smile. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ADVANCE OF SUMMER by MARY KINZIE THE SUMMER IMAGE by LEONIE ADAMS CANOEBIAL BLISS by JOSEPH ASHBY-STERRY THE END OF SUMMER by HENRY MEADE BLAND THE FARMER'S BOY: SUMMER by ROBERT BLOOMFIELD SONNET: 14. APPROACH OF SUMMER by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES JULY IN WASHINGTON by ROBERT LOWELL ODE TO THE END OF SUMMER by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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