When I Am Dead Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCE FGFGHCHI JEJEEDEE EBEBECEI| When I am dead if some chastened one | A |
| Seeing the 'item ' or hearing it said | B |
| That my play is over and my part done | A |
| And I lie asleep in my narrow bed | B |
| If I could know that some soul would say | C |
| Speaking aloud or silently | D |
| 'In the heat and the burden of the day | C |
| She gave a refreshing draught to me' | E |
| - | |
| Or 'When I was lying nigh unto death | F |
| She nursed me to life and to strength again | G |
| And when I laboured and struggled for breath | F |
| She smoothed and quieted down my pain' | G |
| Or 'When I was groping in grief and doubt | H |
| Lost and turned from the light o'er the day | C |
| Her hand reached me and helped me out | H |
| And led me up to the better way' | I |
| - | |
| Or 'When I was hated and shunned by all | J |
| Bowing under my sin and shame | E |
| She once in passing me by let fall | J |
| Words of pity and hope that came | E |
| Into my heart like a blessed calm | E |
| Over the waves of the stormy sea | D |
| Words of comfort like oil and balm | E |
| She spake and the desert blossomed for me' | E |
| - | |
| Better by far than a marble tomb | E |
| Than a monument towering over my head | B |
| What shall I care in my quiet room | E |
| For headboard or footboard when I am dead | B |
| Better than glory or honours or fame | E |
| Though I am striving for those to day | C |
| To know that some heart would cherish my name | E |
| And think of me kindly with blessings alway | I |
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about When I Am Dead poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Best Poems of Ella Wheeler Wilcox