Boy at the Window - A poem by Richard Wilbur


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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 February 6th, 2008 at 10:13 PM | Viewed: 5135 times | Comments and analysis of Boy at the Window by Richard Wilbur Comments (12)

Boy at the Window - Comments and Information
Poet: Richard Wilbur Poem: Boy at the Window Comment 12 of 12, added on May 14th, 2008 at 1:42 PM. Studying this for Higher English here in bonny Scotland. Our class has analysed this poem and have come to the conclusion that the theme is perception and misinterpretation, perhaps misunderstanding. The boy is unneccessarily sad to see the snowman outside alone in the cold and storm. The snowman is worried about the boy being surrounded bu "such warmth, such light and so much fear". Each thinks the other is in a dangerous situation, the snowman thinks the boy is going to melt in the heat and the boy thinks the snowman is going to die of cold out in the storm. It is a lesson to make us realise that everything we see in another's situation may not be as it seems, and we must try to put ourselves in others' shoes before we make judgements on others and how they are living Janice Brough from United Kingdom Comment 11 of 12, added on February 28th, 2008 at 9:38 PM. hay. this poem is cooly. jasmyne from United States Comment 10 of 12, added on February 6th, 2008 at 10:13 PM. hi !!! i really like this poem it's really amazing & cute ♥ nicolle from United States 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 12 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: Jul 9 2008, 5:11AM Viewed 5135 times. Added on February 6th, 2008 at 10:13 PM.

Wilbur Info
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