Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child - A poem by William Carlos Williams


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William Carlos Williams - Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child

The murderer's little daughter 
who is barely ten years old 
jerks her shoulders 
right and left 
so as to catch a glimpse of me 
without turning round. 
Her skinny little arms 
wrap themselves 
this way then that 
reversely about her body!
Nervously 
she crushes her straw hat 
about her eyes 
and tilts her head 
to deepen the shadow— 
smiling excitedly! 

As best as she can 
she hides herself 
in the full sunlight 
her cordy legs writhing 
beneath the little flowered dress 
that leaves them bare 
from mid-thigh to ankle— 

Why has she chosen me 
for the knife 
that darts along her smile?

Added: on February 20th, 2005 at 12:27 PM | Viewed: 4919 times | Comments and analysis of Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child by William Carlos Williams Comments (4)

Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child - Comments and Information
Poet: William Carlos Williams Poem: Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child Comment 4 of 4, added on November 29th, 2007 at 10:25 AM. I think this poem is telling a story about a girl that is getting murdered and how it happen. This poem is very good to me. Virginia from United States Comment 3 of 4, added on June 8th, 2005 at 9:12 PM. I think this poems about a little girl who loves her father. He calls himself a murderer because hes saying that she twisted her leg because she was running toward him to give him a hug and blames himself. Angel Ambriz Comment 2 of 4, added on February 20th, 2005 at 12:27 PM. this poem, to, is quite confusing!anyone able to shed light on it would be doing me big favour. thankyou JOYTI from United Kingdom More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child, has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by William Carlos Williams with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: William Carlos Williams Poem: Sympathetic Portrait Of A Child Last read: Jul 19 2008, 1:43PM Viewed 4919 times. Added on February 20th, 2005 at 12:27 PM.

Williams Info
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