I WALKED a city street, and suddenly I saw a tiny lad. The winter wind Howled fitfully, and all the air above The clear-cut outline of the buildings tall Seemed full of knives that cut against the face: An awful night among the unhoused poor! The boy was tattered; both his hands were thrust For show of warmth within his pocket-holes, Where pockets had not been for many a day. One trouser-leg was long enough to hide The naked flesh, but one, in mockery A world too short, though he was monstrous small, Left bare and red his knee -- a cruel thing! Then swelled my selfish heart with tenderness And pity for the waif: to think of one So young, so seeming helpless, homeless too, Breasting the night, a-shiver with the cold! Gaining a little, soon I passed him by, My fingers reaching for a silver coin To make him happier, if only for An hour, when -- I marveled as I heard -- His mouth was puckered up in cheery wise, And in the very teeth of fortune's frown He whistled loud a scrap of some gay tune! And I must know that all my ready tears Fell on a mood more merry than mine own. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO HIS MISTRESS OBJECTING TO HIM NEITHER TOYING OR TALKING by ROBERT HERRICK JANUARY MORNING by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS DRINKING SONG (2) by ALCAEUS OF MYTILENE COME HOME by WILLIAM HERVEY ALLEN JR. A THOUGHT ON DEATH by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD EUTERPE by LUCIUS MORRIS BEEBE GOD'S ACRE by CHARLOTTE LOUISE BERTLESEN THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 25, ASKING FOR HER HEART (3) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |