Public Domain Poetry And Stories - When Bessie Died by James Whitcomb Riley
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When Bessie Died

    By James Whitcomb Riley



    If from your own the dimpled hands had slipped,
    And ne'er would nestle in your palm again;
    If the white feet into the grave had tripped"

    When Bessie died -
    We braided the brown hair, and tied
    It just as her own little hands
    Had fastened back the silken strands
    A thousand times - the crimson bit
    Of ribbon woven into it
    That she had worn with childish pride -
    Smoothed down the dainty bow - and cried
    When Bessie died.

    When Bessie died -
    We drew the nursery blinds aside,
    And as the morning in the room
    Burst like a primrose into bloom,
    Her pet canary's cage we hung
    Where she might hear him when he sung -
    And yet not any note he tried,
    Though she lay listening folded-eyed.

    When Bessie died -
    We writhed in prayer unsatisfied:
    We begged of God, and He did smile
    In silence on us all the while;
    And we did see Him, through our tears,
    Enfolding that fair form of hers,
    She laughing back against His love
    The kisses had nothing of -
    And death to us He still denied,
    When Bessie died -
    When Bessie died.



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