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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LINES TO AN ONSETTLED YOUNG MAN by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: O WHAT IS LIFE AT LAST,' SAYS
Last Line: HIT'S JES' THE THING YER LOOKIN' FER!
Subject(s): DEATH; LIFE; LOVE; DEAD, THE;

"O' WHAT is Life at last," says you,
"'At woman-folks and man-folks too,
Cain't oncomplainin', worry through?

"An' what is Love, 'at no one yit
'At's monkeyed with it kin forgit,
Er gits fat on remember'n hit?

"An' what is Death?" -- W'y, looky hyur --
Ef Life an' Love don't suit you, sir,
Hit's jes' the thing yer lookin' fer!



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