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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BALLADE OF THE ALUMNA, by EDITH CHILD First Line: How sadly in these latter days Last Line: Another's name is on the door. | |||
HOW sadly in these latter days, In search of memories bitter-sweet, We tread the once-accustomed ways With step grown slow, and lagging feet, -- Timed to the pulse's slower beat, -- And climb the stair and reach the floor, To find -- alas! how time is fleet! Another's name is on the door! We timid knock, and beg to gaze On all once ours -- are shown a seat, O irony! In sad amaze We marvel that it looks so neat, Recalling how we used to meet At gruesome hours in days of yore, -- Hours that fate can ne'er repeat: Another's name is on the door. Our ready chaff, our wordy frays, Conviction backed by young conceit, Have left no echoes; nothing stays To mark how once we "led the street;" But others come with youthful heat, Nor reck of those who came before, And play their part -- their years complete; -- Another's name is on the door. ENVOY. Freshmen, our age with reverence greet, And warning take, though grieved sore, No words delay, no prayers entreat, -- Another's name is on the door. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE VISION by GEORGE SANTAYANA SONG OF OWL'S HEAD by NORMAN WILLIAMS BINGHAM AD ASTRA PER ASPERA! by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE NOT UNDERSTOOD by THOMAS BRACKEN THE BOHEMIANS OF BOSTON AND THEIR WAYS; A MEMORY OF THE JACOBEAN CRAZE by FRANK GELETT BURGESS ON THE STAIR by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON |
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