Away Poem by James Whitcomb Riley

Away

Rating: 3.0


I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead- . He is just away!

With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land,

And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you- O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return- ,

Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here;

And loyal still, as he gave the blows
Of his warrior-strength to his country's foes- .

Mild and gentle, as he was brave- ,
When the sweetest love of his life he gave

To simple things- : Where the violets grew
Blue as the eyes they were likened to,

The touches of his hands have strayed
As reverently as his lips have prayed:

When the little brown thrush that harshly chirred
Was dear to him as the mocking-bird;

And he pitied as much as a man in pain
A writhing honey-bee wet with rain- .

Think of him still as the same, I say:
He is not dead- he is just away!

Friday, April 9, 2010
Topic(s) of this poem: death
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Lady Bryght 30 August 2019

RIP Tako and Sora, mild and gentle as you were brave.

1 0 Reply
Gannet59 28 February 2019

No, the person is dead, deceased not gone away, denying death is not healthy nor helpful with mourning

0 3 Reply
Thabani Khumalo 16 June 2015

I have a vision to write like this, only if god would bless me enough to.y

1 5 Reply
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James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley

Greenfield, Indiana
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