Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WITH WITHERAWAYS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WITH WITHERAWAYS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The whitheraways! - that's what I'll have to call
Last Line: The crying -- 'twill be easier for them to!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Sailing & Sailors; Sea; Travel; Ocean; Journeys; Trips


THE Whitheraways! -- That's what I'll have to call
You -- sailing off, with never word at all
Of parting! -- sailing 'way across the sea,
With never one good-by to me -- to ME!

Sailing away from me, with no farewell! --
Ah, Parker Hitt and sister Muriel --
And Rodney, too, and little Laurance -- all
Sailing away -- just as the leaves, this Fall!

Well, then, I too shall sail on cheerily
As now you all go sailing o'er the sea:
I've other little friends with me on shore --
Though they but make me yearn for you the more!

And so, sometime, dear little friends afar,
When this faint voice shall reach you, and you are
All just a little homesick, you must be
As brave as I am now, and think of me!

Or, haply, if your eyes, as mine, droop low,
And would be humored with a tear or so, --
Go to your Parents, Children! let them do
The crying -- 'twill be easier for them to!





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