Compensations Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCBDEFGFHIHIAA J KLLKMLLKNOPQO R SSDDTTUUVVWWXXRRYY SSQZWW| I BLIND | A |
| - | |
| When first the shadows fell like prison bars | B |
| And darkness spread before me like a pall | C |
| I cried out for the sun the earth the stars | B |
| And beat the air as madmen beat a wall | D |
| Till impotent and broken with despair | E |
| I turned my vision inward Lo a spark | F |
| A light a torch and all my world grew bright | G |
| For God's dear eyes were shining through the dark | F |
| Then bringing to me gifts of recompense | H |
| Came keener hearing finer taste and touch | I |
| And that oft unappreciated sense | H |
| Which finds sweet odours and proclaims them such | I |
| And not until my mortal eyes were blind | A |
| Did I perceive how kind the world how kind | A |
| - | |
| - | |
| II DEAF | J |
| - | |
| I can recall a time when on mine ears | K |
| There fell chaotic sounds of earthly life | L |
| Shrill cries of triumph and hoarse shouts of strife | L |
| A medley of despairs and hopes and fears | K |
| Then silence came and unavailing tears | M |
| The stillness stabbed me like a two edged knife | L |
| Until I found the Universe was rife | L |
| With subtle music of the neighbouring spheres | K |
| Such harmonies such congruous sweet chords | N |
| Wherein each note conveys a healing balm | O |
| And now no more I miss men's spoken words | P |
| For in a quiet world of larger thought | Q |
| I know the joy that comes from being calm | O |
| - | |
| - | |
| III SHUT IN | R |
| - | |
| Across my window glass | S |
| The moving shadows of the people pass | S |
| Sometimes the shadows pause and through the hall | D |
| Kind neighbours come to call | D |
| Bringing a word or smile | T |
| To cheer my loneliness a little while | T |
| But as I hear them talk | U |
| These people who can walk | U |
| And go about the great green earth at will | V |
| I wonder if they know the joy of being still | V |
| And all alone with thoughts that soar afar | W |
| High as the highest star | W |
| And oft I feel more free | X |
| Than those who travel over land and sea | X |
| For one who is shut in | R |
| Away from all the outer strife and din | R |
| With faithful Pain for guide | Y |
| Finds where Great Truths abide | Y |
| - | |
| - | |
| Across my window glass | S |
| The moving shadows pass | S |
| But swifter moves my unimpeded thought | Q |
| Speeding from spot to spot | Z |
| Out and afar | W |
| High as the highest star | W |
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
(1)
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