Two Ghosts by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of lost love and longing. The narrator describes two ghosts who haunt a mansion, reliving their past romance. They are trapped in their memories, unable to move on from their tragic fate. The ghosts reenact their final night together, with the woman dying in the man's arms. The poem conveys a sense of sadness, yearning, and eternal devotion.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1893 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Supernatural Fiction · 582 words
First lines
Two dead men boarded a spectral ship / In the astral Port of Space; / On that ghost-filled barque, they met in the dark, / And halted, face to face.
‘Now whither away'-called one of the ghosts, / ‘This ship sets sail for Earth. / On the astral plane you must remain, / Where the newly dead have birth.'
What this Textopian page supports
Two Ghosts is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, Poetry, Fantasy
- Length: 582 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Two Ghosts by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- 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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Similar titles
- The Phantom Ball by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Earth Bound by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Legend by Edith Wharton
- Ghosts by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Little Blue Hood by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Portents by Egerton Castle
Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The narrative involves spectral ships, ghosts, and a dark, eerie atmosphere.
- Romantic Fiction — The central theme revolves around love, longing, and the emotional ties between the living and the dead.
- Supernatural Fiction — The plot includes elements of the supernatural, such as ghosts and the astral plane.
- Poetry — The writing style is poetic, with structured verses and rhyming schemes.
Tags
Romance · Ghosts · Supernatural · Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Paranormal · Fantasy · Fiction · Classic · Literary · American Literature