Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN THE CORNER, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN THE CORNER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Elsie was bad as bad could be
Last Line: May lead you close to the father's heart.
Subject(s): Punishment


Elsie was bad as bad could be,
So to the corner she had to go;
Nothing but cold, white wall to see,
Nothing to think of but -- O dear me! --
The mischief past and the present woe.

Out of the wall her mother's face
Looked so tenderly sweet and sad,
Seeming to fill the blank, bare space,
Seeming to say to her girl in disgrace,
"Dear little Elsie, why are you so bad?"

Open her eyes or close them tight,
Still our rebel that face must see,
Till at last the poor little girl, in spite
Of the stubbornest will, made headlong flight
To her mother's arms and forgiveness free.

Ah, my child, as the years go by,
And many an error brings many a smart,
May some hushed corner be ever nigh,
Where the Father-love in the Father's eye
May lead you close to the Father's heart.





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