Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE EARTHQUAKE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: An hour ago the lulling twilight Last Line: And still shall weep, a world above its loss. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Disasters; Earth; Earthquakes; Evening; Loss; World; Sunset; Twilight | ||||||||
CHARLESTON, SEPTEMBER 1, 1886 AN hour ago the lulling twilight leant Above us like a gentle nurse who slips A slow palm o'er our eyes, in soft eclipse Of feigned slumber of most sweet content. The fragrant zephyrs of the tropic went And came across the senses, like to sips Of lovers' kisses, when upon her lips Silence sets finger in grave merriment. Then -- sudden -- did the earth moan as it slept, And start as one in evil dreams, and toss Its peopled arms up, as the horror crept, And with vast breast upheaved and rent across, Fling down the storied citadel where wept, And still shall weep, a world above its loss. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JOURNEY INTO THE EYE by DAVID LEHMAN FEBRUARY EVENING IN NEW YORK by DENISE LEVERTOV THE HOUSE OF DUST: 1 by CONRAD AIKEN TWILIGHT COMES by HAYDEN CARRUTH IN THE EVENINGS by LUCILLE CLIFTON NINETEEN FORTY by NORMAN DUBIE A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
|