Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


BEREAVED by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: LET ME COME IN WHERE YOU SIT WEEPING
Last Line: WHO HAVE NO CHILD TO DIE.
Subject(s): DEATH - CHILDREN; MOURNING; DEATH - BABIES; BEREAVEMENT;

LET me come in where you sit weeping, -- ay,
Let me, who have not any child to die,
Weep with you for the little one whose love
I have known nothing of.

The little arms that slowly, slowly loosed
Their pressure round your neck; the hands you used
To kiss. -- Such arms -- such hands I never knew.
May I not weep with you?

Fain would I be of service -- say some thing,
Between the tears, that would be comforting, --
But ah! so sadder than yourselves am I,
Who have no child to die.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net