A Waif by Bliss Carman (1891)
In Bliss Carman's poem, "A Waif," the speaker is a young woman who has been abandoned by her lover. She is alone and heartbroken, wandering the streets of a city in search of solace. She is desperate for someone to take her in and provide her with comfort and understanding. The poem is a plea for compassion and understanding, as the speaker is in a vulnerable state and in need of help. The poem ends with the speaker asking for a place to rest her head, a place to call home.
By Bliss Carman · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Writing · 107 words
First lines
Do you know what it is to be vagrant born? A waif is only a waif. And so, For another idle hour I sit, In large content while the fire burns low.
I gossip here to my crony heart Of the day just over, and count it one Of the royal elemental days, Though its dreams were few and its deeds were none.
Outside, the winter; inside, the warmth And a sweet oblivion of turmoil. Why? All for a gentle girlish hand With its warm and lingering good-bye.
What this Textopian page supports
A Waif is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Bliss Carman
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Writing, Philosophical Writing
- Length: 107 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The book is a collection of poems written by Bliss Carman.
- Romanticism — The book contains romantic themes and imagery, such as nature and love.
- Nature Writing — The book contains many references to nature, such as trees, flowers, and birds.
- Philosophical Writing — The book contains philosophical musings on life, love, and death.
Tags
Poetry · born · burns · content · count · crony · day · days · deeds · dreams · elemental · gentle