I cried at Pity－not at Pain－1
I heard a Woman say
"Poor Child"－and something in her voice
Convicted me－of me－
So long I fainted, to myself 5
It seemed the common way,
And Health, and Laughter, Curious things－
To look at, like a Toy－
To sometimes hear "Rich people" buy 9
And see the Parcel rolled－
And carried, I supposed－to Heaven,
For children, made of Gold－
But not to touch, or wish for, 13
Or think of, with a sigh－
And so and so－had been to me,
Had God willed differently.
I wish I knew that Woman's name－17
So when she comes this way,
To hold my life, and hold my ears
For fear I hear her say
She's "sorry I am dead"－again－21
Just when the Grave and I－
Have sobbed ourselves almost to sleep,
Our only Lullaby－
I heard a Woman say
"Poor Child"－and something in her voice
Convicted me－of me－
So long I fainted, to myself 5
It seemed the common way,
And Health, and Laughter, Curious things－
To look at, like a Toy－
To sometimes hear "Rich people" buy 9
And see the Parcel rolled－
And carried, I supposed－to Heaven,
For children, made of Gold－
But not to touch, or wish for, 13
Or think of, with a sigh－
And so and so－had been to me,
Had God willed differently.
I wish I knew that Woman's name－17
So when she comes this way,
To hold my life, and hold my ears
For fear I hear her say
She's "sorry I am dead"－again－21
Just when the Grave and I－
Have sobbed ourselves almost to sleep,
Our only Lullaby－
(F.394/J.588)
[1–24]:: This poem is about Nell Trent in The Old Curiosity Shop (1841) by Charles Dickens.
[1] I, not at Pain:: Nell Trent, a brave girl lived with her grandfather.
[2, 3] a Woman say, "Poor Child":: Nell's mother, died early.
[7, 8] Curious things, Toy:: a hint on the Curiosity Shop.
[21] "sorry I am dead":: Nell's mother failed to raise Nell.
[22, 23] Grave and I, sleep:: Nell died before her friend reached her.
