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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ST. LIRRIPER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN DICKENS FIRST DAWNED ON
Last Line: BUT FROM THE HEART NO READER MAY RESIST.
Subject(s): DICKENS, CHARLES (1812-1870); WRITING & WRITERS;

WHEN Dickens first dawned on us. . . . Hey! to wake
On such a morning @3now,@1 to rise and break
Brain-fast on such an appetizing spread
As Mrs. Lirriper, the unconscious head
And front of kindliest humanity --
With @3"Jemmy Jackman, m'am,"@1 full courteously
Saluting @3"After you, m'am";@1 and @3"Our boy"@1 --
The @3Junior@1 Jemmy, with the zest and joy
So strangely born out of the hopeless state
Of sacred motherhood made violate,
Yet glorified by the compassion of
The mortal, answering the Immortal love.
Writing like this must be, not from the wrist,
But from the heart no reader may resist.



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