Classic and Contemporary Poetry
APART, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: They stood on either side the gate Last Line: Walk hand in hand the path of death. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Absence; Death; Fear; Trees; Separation; Isolation; Dead, The | ||||||||
I THEY stood on either side the gate -- Though fastened with the hands of fate A touch might lift the latch's weight. The moonlight, with a faded grace, Fell o'er the whiteness of her face Like some soiled veil of bridal lace. The fan she held went fluttering About her mouth on restless wing As though it were a wounded thing. And in her breast an ache of dread Held back the word she would have said, And sent a weary sigh instead. II He waited, with his eager eyes Half muffled in a weak disguise Of carelessness and cold surprise. Within his breast he heard the moan: "How desolate and all alone, And pitiless my heart has grown!" And yet a nameless ache of dread Held back the word he would have said, And sent a weary sign instead. The long, black shadows of the trees Whose branches wavered in the breeze, Fell o'er them like their destinies. They parted. Yet the wild wind saith That two fair ghosts with failing breath Walk hand in hand the path of death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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