The Child's Grave Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFGF HIHI JKJK LMLM NONP BQBR BFBF| I came to the churchyard where pretty Joy lies | A |
| On a morning in April a rare sunny day | B |
| Such bloom rose around and so many birds' cries | A |
| That I sang for delight as I followed the way | B |
| - | |
| I sang for delight in the ripening of spring | C |
| For dandelions even were suns come to earth | D |
| Not a moment went by but a new lark took wing | C |
| To wait on the season with melody's mirth | D |
| - | |
| Love making birds were my mates all the road | E |
| And who would wish surer delight for the eye | F |
| Than to see pairing goldfinches gleaming abroad | G |
| Or yellowhammers sunning on paling and sty | F |
| - | |
| And stocks in the almswomen's garden were blown | H |
| With rich Easter roses each side of the door | I |
| The lazy white owls in the glade cool and lone | H |
| Paid calls on their cousins in the elm's chambered core | I |
| - | |
| This peace then and happiness thronged me around | J |
| Nor could I go burdened with grief but made merry | K |
| Till I came to the gate of that overgrown ground | J |
| Where scarce once a year sees the priest come to bury | K |
| - | |
| Over the mounds stood the nettles in pride | L |
| And where no fine flowers there kind weeds dared to wave | M |
| It seemed but as yesterday she lay by my side | L |
| And now my dog ate of the grass on her grave | M |
| - | |
| He licked my hand wondering to see me muse so | N |
| And wished I would lead on the journey or home | O |
| As though not a moment of spring were to go | N |
| In brooding but I stood if her spirit might come | P |
| - | |
| And tell me her life since we left her that day | B |
| In the white lilied coffin and rained down our tears | Q |
| But the grave held no answer though long I should stay | B |
| How strange that this clay should mingle with hers | R |
| - | |
| So I called my good dog and went on my way | B |
| Joy's spirit shone then in each flower I went by | F |
| And clear as the noon in coppice and ley | B |
| Her sweet dawning smile and her violet eye | F |
Edmund Blunden
(1)
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