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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


EDGAR WILSON NYE by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SADDEST SILENCE FALLS WHEN
Last Line: CALLING YOUR LOVE BACK TO US LAUGHINGLY.
Subject(s): DEATH; LAUGHTER; SILENCE; WINTER; DEAD, THE;

THE saddest silence falls when Laughter lays
Finger on lip, and falteringly breaks
The glad voice into dying minor shakes
And quavers, lorn as airs the wind-harp plays
At urge of drearest Winter's bleakest days:
A troubled hush, in which all hope forsakes
Us, and the yearning upstrained vision aches
With tears that drown e'en heaven from our gaze.
Such silence -- after such glad merriment!
O prince of halest humor, wit and cheer!
Could you yet speak to us, I doubt not we
Should catch your voice, still blithely eloquent
Above all murmurings of sorrow here,
Calling your love back to us laughingly.



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