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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EVEN AS A CHILD, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Even as a child to whom sad
Last Line: Even as a child.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Children; Death; Fathers; Grief; Childhood; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness
First Line: Even as a child to whom sad
Last Line: Even as a child.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Children; Death; Fathers; Grief; Childhood; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness
EVEN as a child to whom sad neighbors speak
In symbol, saying that his father "sleeps" --
Who feels their meaning, even as his cheek
Feels the first tear-drop as it stings and leaps --
Who keenly knows his loss, and yet denies
Its awful import -- grieves unreconciled,
Moans, drowses -- rouses, with new-drowning eyes --
Even as a child.
Even as a child; with empty, aimless hand
Clasped sudden to the heart all hope deserts --
With tears that blur all lights on sea or land --
The lip that quivers and the throat that hurts:
Even so, the Nation that has known his love
Is orphaned now; and, whelmed in anguish wild
Knows but its sorrow and the ache thereof,
Even as a child.
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