A Wish by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1888)

Name: A Wish
Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The poem explores the idea that a person's wishes can have unintended consequences and that one should be careful what they wish for. The speaker of the poem has made a wish out of anger and spite, but soon realizes that the fulfillment of this wish has brought them misery instead of happiness. Through the use of imagery and metaphor, the poem conveys the importance of being mindful of one's desires and considering their potential outcomes.

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Social Commentary · 354 words

First lines

Great dignity ever attends great grief, / And silently walks beside it; / And I always know when I see such woe / That Invisible Helpers guide it. / And I know deep sorrow is like a tide, / It cannot ever be flowing; / The high-water mark in the night and the dark- / Then dawn, and the outward going.

But the people who pull at my heart-strings hard / Are the ones whom destiny hurries / Through commonplace ways to the end of their days, / And pesters with paltry worries. / The peddlers who trudge with a budget of wares / To the door that is slammed unkindly; / The vendor who stands with his shop in his hands / Where the hastening hosts pass blindly;

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A Wish is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1888 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Date: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Social Commentary, Inspirational
Length: 354 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter.
Philosophical — The themes explore deep reflections on grief, sorrow, and the human condition.
Social Commentary — The content addresses societal issues such as poverty, labor, and the struggles of common people.
Inspirational — The work aims to evoke empathy and a desire to help those in need.