Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WHIP POOR WILL, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS Poet's Biography First Line: Out of the twilight, mystical, dim Last Line: Whip poor will! Subject(s): Birds; Whipporwills | ||||||||
Out of the twilight, mystical, dim, Startles a bird-call ghostly and grim. Over the meadows the fluting cry, Stern and pathetic and weirdly nigh: "Whip poor Will!" Where does he live, this mysterious Will? Farmland or forest, or vale or hill? Why is he poor, and if poor, why thus Are you persistently bidding us "Whip poor Will"? Is he a stupid, beyond belief? Other folks pilfer and call him a thief? Others are tricky and dub him a cheat? Is that the reason you sadly repeat "Whip poor Will"? Is Will a rascal, deserving of blows, Still winning friendship wherever he goes, Gently arrested and smilingly chid, -- Is that the reason so quaintly you bid "Whip poor Will"? Do we not know him, this pitiful Will? Centuries pass, -- he is with us still! Do we not smile as he stands at bay? Do we not sob as we legally say "Whip poor Will"? Easy to urge the judicial command, Thrusting the thong in another's hand. Ah, you iterant feathered elf, If you'd have whipping, then do it yourself: Whip poor Will! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A WHIPPOORWILL IN THE WOODS by AMY CLAMPITT PRICELESS GIFTS by OLIVE MAY COOK THE WHIPPOORWILL'S SONG by ELIZABETH COX GILLILAND AT THE TOUCH OF A BIRD by LILLIAN IONE OLSEN SONGS TO A.H.R.: 10. ASSUAGEMENT by CALE YOUNG RICE TO ANNIE by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY A BATTLE SONG (WRITTEN IN THE WORLD WAR) by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS |
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