Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MABEL, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MABEL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sweet little face, so full of slumber
Last Line: Till then, farewell -- farewell.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Farewell; Happiness; Parting; Joy; Delight


SWEET little face, so full of slumber now --
Sweet lips unlifted now with any kiss --
Sweet dimpled cheek and chin, and snowy brow, --
What quietude is this?

O speak! Have you forgotten, yesterday,
How gladly you came running to the gate
To meet us in the old familiar way,
So joyous -- so elate --

So filled with wildest glee, yet so serene
With innocence of song and childish chat,
With all the dear caresses in between --
Have you forgotten that?

Have you forgotten, knowing gentler charms,
The boisterous love of one you ran to greet
When you last met, who caught you in his arms
And kissed you, in the street?

Not very many days have passed since then,
And yet between that kiss and him there lies
No pathway of return -- unless again,
In streets of Paradise,

Your eager feet come twinkling down the gold
Of some bright thoroughfare ethereal,
To meet and greet him there just as of old. --
Till then, farewell -- farewell.





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