Boy at the Window - A poem by Richard Wilbur

Richard Wilbur - Boy at the Window

Seeing the snowman standing all alone
In dusk and cold is more than he can bear.
The small boy weeps to hear the wind prepare
A night of gnashings and enormous moan.
His tearful sight can hardly reach to where
The pale-faced figure with bitumen eyes
Returns him such a God-forsaken stare
As outcast Adam gave to paradise.

The man of snow is, nonetheless, content,
Having no wish to go inside and die.
Still, he is moved to see the youngster cry.
Though frozen water is his element,
He melts enough to drop from one soft eye
A trickle of the purest rain, a tear
For the child at the bright pane surrounded by
Such warmth, such light, such love, and so much fear.

Added: on May 17th, 2009 at 10:01 PM | Viewed: 9850 times | Comments and analysis of Boy at the Window by Richard Wilbur Comments (19)

Boy at the Window - Comments and Information
Poet: Richard Wilbur (Richard Wilbur Art) Poem: Boy at the Window Comment 19 of 19, added on September 6th, 2009 at 10:40 AM. how can the theme be perception and misinterpretation, perhaps misunderstanding none of those is a complete idea theyre all simply topics now i need to write a reflection for english class can someone word a good theme for me? err naa from Thailand Comment 18 of 19, added on May 19th, 2009 at 6:05 PM. There is an important religious allusion in line 7-8. Adam is refering to Adam and Eve and the temptations he faced from the devil. They both had a good life until the snake tempted them. After that, his life was filled with pain and corruption. Similarly, the boy and snowman are both satisfied, unless they choose the other life. Hannah Comment 17 of 19, added on May 17th, 2009 at 10:01 PM. I like the poem, his use of rhyming helps convey his message of misinterpretation Schlomo from Israel More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Boy at the Window, has received 19 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Richard Wilbur with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Richard Wilbur Poem: Boy at the Window Last read: Feb 9 2010, 10:17AM Viewed 9850 times. Added on May 17th, 2009 at 10:01 PM.

Wilbur Info
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