A Shadow Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A Shadow

Rating: 2.8


I said unto myself, if I were dead,
What would befall these children? What would be
Their fate, who now are looking up to me
For help and furtherance? Their lives, I said,
Would be a volume wherein I have read
But the first chapters, and no longer see
To read the rest of their dear history,
So full of beauty and so full of dread.
Be comforted; the world is very old,
And generations pass, as they have passed,
A troop of shadows moving with the sun;
Thousands of times has the old tale been told;
The world belongs to those who come the last,
They will find hope and strength as we have done.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Srivinay Salian 28 August 2013

This in my opinion is about letting the young ones be as is and not being too protective about them... A philosophical reality expressed so beautifully...

18 8 Reply
Poem Lover 01 April 2014

ehhhhh not that greeeaattttt could be a lottttt betterr ya kno.. i jus aint feelin it

7 16 Reply
I a greee 16 May 2019

AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

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I a greee 16 May 2019

AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

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Walterrean Salley 18 September 2014

Their lives, I said, Would be a volume wherein I have read But the first chapters, and no longer see To read the rest of their dear history, So full of beauty and so full of dread. He certainly had the heart of a father: loving, caring, compassionate. Not like the deadbeats. He wanted to live and see the children grow up. He knew the kids were depending on him for sustenance, etc. He wanted to help them make something good of their life, and not disappoint them in any way as a father. This is such a beautiful, inspirational and heart warming poem. A winner. A gem. Father of the Year!

7 4 Reply
Dr Dillip K Swain 07 December 2022

The world belongs to those who come the last......this is true.

0 0 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 31 August 2019

Thousands of times has the old tale been told; The world belongs to those who come the last, They will find hope and strength as we have done/// EXCELLENT, it's really a profound expression on the feelings of life//// greatest 10+

0 0 Reply
Uche Nwanze 31 August 2019

A very insightful poem deserving poem of the day.

0 0 Reply
Paul Amrod 31 August 2019

This illustrious poet found a profound way of trusting the essence of humanity to exist forever.

0 0 Reply
paul amrod 31 August 2019

This illustrious poet found a profound way of trusting the essence of humanity to exist forever.

2 0 Reply
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