Their Faces by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the idea that people's faces reflect their inner selves and experiences. It describes how a person's face can reveal their character, emotions, and life story. The speaker notes that some faces are marked by sorrow, while others radiate joy and happiness. The poem also touches on the theme of deception, suggesting that some individuals may hide their true nature behind a mask of beauty or charm. Ultimately, the poem presents the idea that a person's face is a window to their soul, revealing their true identity and experiences.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Spiritual, Philosophical · 258 words
First lines
O Beautiful white Angels! who control / The inner workings of each poet soul, / Thou who hast touched my mind with tender graces / Come near to me that I may see thy faces.
Me, didst thou bless before I came to earth; / Me, hast thou kissed, and dowered at my birth, / With such a wealth of sweet imaginings, / That, even in sleep, my dreaming fancy sings.
Sometimes when seeing snow-white clouds at noon, / Or watching silver shadows from the moon, / Within my soul has stirred a joy like fear, / As if some kindred spirit lingered near.
What this Textopian page supports
Their Faces is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Spiritual, Philosophical, Romantic
- Length: 258 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Their Faces by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Spiritual — Themes of angels, the soul, and the afterlife are central to the work.
- Philosophical — Explores deep questions about life, death, and the unknown.
- Romantic — Contains elements of beauty, imagination, and emotional expression.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Romanticism · Love Poems · Relationships · Emotions · Human Experience · Psychological Insight · Introspection · Personal Growth · Self-Discovery