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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LITTLE SISTER, by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER Poet's Biography First Line: The wind knocks at the window Last Line: That some evil thing is nigh. Alternate Author Name(s): Sigerson, Dora; Shorter, Mrs. Clement Subject(s): Death; Evil; Sisters; Dead, The | |||
THE wind knocks at the window, And my heart is full of fear, For I know when it is calling That some evil thing is near. It whispers in the chimney, And I strike the log to flame, Lest it come down and take me To the land that hath no name. For once I had a sister, Who now am left alone, And here we sat together, When the wind did sigh and moan. There came a gentle knocking Quick and sudden at the door, And my sister hushed my terror, Saying, "'Tis the wind, a-stór!" She took my arms from round her, She kissed me, cheek and chin, But I cried, "Oh, little sister, Do not let the robber in!" She rose up from me laughing, But her face was strange and white, And she opened wide the window, Looking long into the night. And I said, "Oh, little sister, There is on your cheek a tear!" "'Tis but the rain," she whispered; But my heart was full of fear. And I said, "Oh, little sister, There's a hand upon the door." Soft she chid me from my crying, Saying, "'Tis the wind, a-stór." And turning from me smiling, She took down the bar and chain, But her cheek was like the lily As she went into the rain. And I said, "Oh, little sister, Will you then return no more?" But I only heard the pushing Of the wind upon the door. Long I cried, "Oh, little sister, Will you soon come back again?" But I only heard the beating Of the storm upon the pane. Now my mother sits in sorrow, Weeping all the livelong day; And I think she dreads the robber Who did take her child away. So I put up bar and shutter When the wind goes howling by, For I know when it comes knocking That some evil thing is nigh. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND THE WIND ON THE HILLS by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER |
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