A Wail by Eugene Field (1898)
The poem is a lamentation of the death of a child. It expresses grief and sorrow at the loss of innocence and youth. The speaker describes the child's beauty and charm, and mourns the passing of their brief life. The tone is melancholic and nostalgic, evoking a sense of irreparable loss.
By Eugene Field · First published 1898 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Satire · 299 words
First lines
My name is Col. Johncey New, / And by a hoosier's grace / I have congenial work to do / At 12 St. Helen's place.
I was as happy as a clam / A-floating with the tide, / Till one day came a cablegram / To me from t'other side.
It was a Macedonian cry / From Benjy o'er the sea; / "Come hither, Johncey, instantly, / And whoop things up for me! " / I could not turn a callous ear / Unto that piteous cry; / I packed my grip, and for the pier / Directly started I.
What this Textopian page supports
A Wail is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Satire, Narrative, Lyric
- Length: 299 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Wail by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- Desolation by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- A Mortul Prayer by James Whitcomb Riley
- When The Hearse Comes Back by James Whitcomb Riley
- Dirge by Madison Cawein
- A Lament by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Humor — The tone and content reflect a humorous perspective on the protagonist's situation and experiences.
- Satire — The poem critiques social and political circumstances through exaggerated scenarios and characterizations.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story about the protagonist's journey and emotional state.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Melancholic · Mourning · Death · Loss · Grief · Sorrow · Elegy · Lamentation · Funeral