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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HER SMILE OF CHEER AND VOICE OF SONG by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: SPRING FAILS, IN ALL ITS BRAVERY OF
Last Line: RECLAIMS THOSE GIFTS OF HERS.
Subject(s): NATURE; SMILES; SPRING;

SPRING fails, in all its bravery of brilliant gold and green, --
The sun, the grass, the leafing tree, and all the dazzling scene
Of dewy morning -- orchard blooms
And woodland blossoms and perfumes
With bird-songs sown between.

Yea, since @3she@1 smiles not any more, so every flowery thing
Fades, and the birds seem brooding o'er her silence as they sing --
Her smile of cheer and voice of song
Seemed so divinely to belong
To ever-joyous Spring!

Nay, still she smiles. -- Our eyes are blurred and see not through our tears:
And still her rapturous voice is heard, though not of mortal ears: --
Now ever doth she smile and sing
Where Heaven's unending Clime of Spring
Reclaims those gifts of hers.



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