Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE TRIBUTE OF HIS HOME by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: BOWED, MIDST A UNIVERSAL GRIEF
Last Line: OUR COMMON FRIEND AND FELLOW CITIZEN.
Subject(s): DEATH; FLAGS; GRIEF; HOME; TEARS; DEAD, THE; SORROW; SADNESS;

BOWED, midst a universal grief that makes
Columbia's self a stricken mourner, cast
In tears beneath the old Flag at half-mast,
A sense of glory rouses us and breaks
Like song upon our sorrowing and shakes
The dew from our drenched eyes, that smile at last
In childish pride -- as though the great man passed
To his most high reward for our poor sakes.
Loved of all men -- we muse, -- yet ours he was --
Choice of the Nation's mighty brotherhood --
Her soldier, statesman, ruler. -- Ay, but then,
We knew him -- long before the world's applause
And after -- as a neighbor, kind and good,
Our common friend and fellow citizen.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net