My Friend
Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1855 (Janesville) – 1919
When first I looked upon the face of Pain
I shrank repelled, as one shrinks from a foe
Who stands with dagger poised, as for a blow.
I was in search of Pleasure and of Gain;
I turned aside to let him pass: in vain;
He looked straight in my eyes and would not go.
'Shake hands,' he said; 'our paths are one, and so
We must be comrades on the way, 'tis plain.'
I felt the firm clasp of his hand on mine;
Through all my veins it sent a strengthening glow.
I straightway linked my arm in his, and lo!
He led me forth to joys almost divine;
With God's great truths enriched me in the end:
And now I hold him as my dearest friend.
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on April 13, 2023
- 39 sec read
- 81 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | ABBAABBACBBCDD |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic pentameter |
Characters | 619 |
Words | 132 |
Stanzas | 1 |
Stanza Lengths | 14 |
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"My Friend" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 Jun 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/10718/my-friend>.
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