Cliff Klingenhagen - A poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Edwin Arlington Robinson - Cliff Klingenhagen

Cliff Klingenhagen had me in to dine 
With him one day; and after soup and meat, 
And all the other things there were to eat, 
Cliff took two glasses and filled one with wine 
And one with wormwood. Then, without a sign
For me to choose at all, he took the draught 
Of bitterness himself, and lightly quaffed 
It off, and said the other one was mine. 

And when I asked him what the deuce he meant 
By doing that, he only looked at me
And smiled, and said it was a way of his. 
And though I know the fellow, I have spent 
Long time a-wondering when I shall be 
As happy as Cliff Klingenhagen is.

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Added: Jun 3 2005 | Viewed: 7490 times |

Comments (8)

Cliff Klingenhagen - Comments and Information
Poet: Edwin Arlington Robinson Poem: Cliff Klingenhagen Poem of the Day: Mar 5 2006 Comment 8 of 8, added on March 28th, 2013 at 7:16 AM. Superb! Superb! Hernan from United States Comment 7 of 8, added on March 7th, 2012 at 10:44 AM. Cliff Klingenhagen I know who Cliff Klingenhagen is and why he was so happy. It was my Lord who drank the bitter cup so that you and I could taste from the Fruit of the Vine around His table. It was bringing us into glory that was His joy that allowed Him to endure the cross, despising its shame. This is why He rose up from the dust of the Garden and said, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” -- Jn. 18:11. Christ figures abound in poetry. Why not here too? Jim Nichols from United States Comment 6 of 8, added on December 15th, 2009 at 11:37 AM. Tedy Roosevelt The author of the poem, Robinson, was a great admirer of Roosevelt. I think the poem shows his admiration of Teddy but does it indirectly by calling him Cliff in the poem. He says Teddy is willing to quaff a stiff, bitter drink for his friends such as himself. This shows the selfless character of Teddy Roosevelt. Inta Gulbis from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Cliff Klingenhagen, has received 8 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own.

Poem Info
Poet: Edwin Arlington Robinson Poem: Cliff Klingenhagen Last read: 2013-05-22 16:50:48 Poem of the Day: Mar 5 2006 Viewed 7490 times. Added Jun 3 2005.

Robinson Info
Biography More Poems (177 poems) Edwin Arlington Robinson books