The Onlooker by Edith Nesbit (1917)
The poem's speaker expresses their desire to provide comfort and protection to the person they love, but acknowledges that in reality, they can only stand by and watch as the loved one suffers, unable to intervene or offer relief. The speaker chooses to remain silent and hide their own emotional pain, fearing that if they were to reveal their feelings, it would only add to the loved one's burden.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1917 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 151 words
First lines
If I could make a pillow for your head, Soft, pleasant, filled with every pretty thought; If I could lay a carpet where you tread Of all my life's most radiant fancies wrought, And spread my love as canopy above you, Your sleep, your steps should know how much I love you.
But -- as life goes, to the old sorry tune -- I stand apart, I see thorns wound your feet, Your sleeping eyes resenting sun and moon, Your head lie restless on a breast unmeet -- And say no word, and suffer without moan, Lest you should guess how much you are alone.
What this Textopian page supports
The Onlooker is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 151 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Onlooker by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Onlooker?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Summer Song by Edith Nesbit
- The Old Magic by Edith Nesbit
- The Return by Edith Nesbit
- Rye by Edith Nesbit
- The Vain Spell by Edith Nesbit
- At The Gate by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is primarily aimed at young readers, with a focus on adventure and moral lessons.
- Fantasy — The story involves magical elements and fantastical creatures, typical of the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a series of exciting events and challenges faced by the characters.
Tags
Classic Literature · Children's Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Mystery · Supernatural · Psychological Fiction · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Friendship · Family Relationships · Growing Up