What Happens? by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the consequences of a person's actions and how they affect others. It describes how a single deed can have far-reaching effects, influencing the lives of many people. The speaker argues that every action has repercussions, whether good or bad, and that individuals must take responsibility for their deeds.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Philosophy · 145 words
First lines
When thy hand touches mine, through all the mesh Of intricate and interlacèd veins Shoot swift delights that border on keen pains: Flesh thrills to thrilling flesh.
When in thine eager eyes I look to find A comrade to my thought, thy ready brain Delves down and makes its inmost meaning plain: Mind answers unto mind.
When hands and eyes are hid by seas that roll Wide wastes between us, still so near thou art I count the very pulses of thy heart: Soul speaketh unto soul.
So every law, or human or divine, In heart and brain and spirit makes thee mine.
What this Textopian page supports
What Happens? is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Philosophy, Drama
- Length: 145 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for What Happens? by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Romance — The themes revolve around love, connection, and emotional intimacy.
- Philosophy — The work explores deep questions about human connection and the nature of the soul.
- Drama — The intense emotional experiences and interactions suggest dramatic elements.
Tags
Philosophy · Poetry · Spirituality · Mortality · Afterlife · Existentialism · Death · Life · Meaning · Purpose · Humanity · Soul