Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FLEMING HELPHENSTINE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: AT FIRST I THOUGHT THERE WAS A SUPERFINE
Last Line: HE DODGED, -- AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM SINCE.
Subject(s): STRANGERS;

At first I thought there was a superfine
Persuasion in his face; but the free glow
That filled it when he stopped and cried, "Hollo!"
Shone joyously, and so I let it shine.
He said his name was Fleming Helphenstine,
But be that as it may; -- I only know
He talked of this and that and So-and-So,
And laughed and chaffed like any friend of mine.

But soon, with a queer, quick frown, helooked at me,
And I looked hard at him; and there we gazed
In a strained way that made us cringe and wince:
Then, with a wordless clogged apology
That sounded half confused and half amazed,
He dodged, -- and I have never seen him since.




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