The Little White Hearse
The poem explores the theme of death and mourning, describing a funeral procession where the hearse is little and white, carrying the body of a young woman who died prematurely. The speaker reflects on the brevity of life and the inevitability of death, lamenting the loss of beauty and youth.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1889 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Sentimental Literature · 308 words
First lines
Somebody's baby was buried to-day- The empty white hearse from the grave rumbled back, And the morning somehow seemed less smiling and gay As I paused on the walk while it crossed on its way, And a shadow seemed drawn o'er the sun's golden tract.
Somebody's baby was laid out to rest, White as a snowdrop, and fair to behold, And the soft little hands were crossed over the breast, And those hands and the lips and the eyelids were pressed With kisses as hot as the eyelids were cold.
What this Textopian page supports
The Little White Hearse is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1889 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Sentimental Literature, Victorian Literature, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 308 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter.
- Elegy — The poem mourns the death of a child and reflects on themes of loss and sorrow.
- Sentimental Literature — The poem evokes strong emotional responses and focuses on themes of grief and empathy.
- Victorian Literature — The style and themes are characteristic of the Victorian era, including a focus on death and mourning.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Romance · Death · Grief · Loss · Mourning · Sorrow · Love · Memory · Nostalgia · Longing