professor

Oct 02, 2008 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Portrait of a dying child

She turned away, but with the autumn gloom

presented more than just a face,

of diminished hope and finite grace.

I turned as if to grasp

the faintness of one hopeful gesture,

but all seemed useless,

time and space frozen for ever

in that doubting pose,

the impatience of death’s callous guile.

Love’s patience will remember though

her living left us with her smile.

— professor, Oct 02, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: China/Sichuan/Chengdu, CHN

Favorite Poets: Yeats, Elliot, Auden, Keats, Shelley, Byron

Critiques

rider68

17 years 8 months ago

Hi Proff

I can see that you have kept your quill honed Sir, very powerful,......But what else would we expect, Glad to see you posting, Very best regards..... Peter ~~~"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday, and I love today."~~~

professor

17 years 8 months ago

Honed pen

indeed Peter....although i do mislay it from time to time. Thanks for the comments. Keith

Janice Pearce

17 years 8 months ago

Portrait

Keith, This is a beautiful piece, one of my favorites of yours! "There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you." Will Rogers

professor

17 years 8 months ago

Thanks Janice

so glad it is your favourite of mine although it is a very personal, sad and poignant one. Keith

Barbara Writes

17 years 8 months ago

Beautiful

Smiles:) Barbara a moment that will last forever in the minds eye. this is well written with grace

professor

17 years 8 months ago

Thanks as always

for your smile Barbara. Keith

Kailashana

17 years 8 months ago

Death is not easy on the

Death is not easy on the I-eye. "Grace", yes... ~A

professor

17 years 8 months ago

Seeing death

is never easy on the eye Anna especially the death of child. Keith

purplemoondoll

17 years 8 months ago

This moved me in so many

This moved me in so many ways. A stunning piece of writing! Kaz It's impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside.

professor

17 years 8 months ago

Thanks Kaz

praise indeed and it is a highly emotive subject of course. Keith

prayersbyPatty

17 years 8 months ago

What a gem

You took me there again. Its a good thing we cannot see the sadness on our faces as we watch the news. I turned it off a year ago. In some places women are not so highly favored. Patty

professor

17 years 8 months ago

Thanks Patty

there is sometimes great sadness on our faces that is true and expecially for the disadvantaged. Keith

Electric Blue

17 years 7 months ago

Portrait of a Dying Child

Kieth This touched my heart in remembrance. As you know I am an artist too. I am often asked to do portraits of spirits that have left this realm. I am honoured that people ask me and i hope that I do this soul in the reflection of joy I can bring to their hearts. I also do lost spirits of animals special to all those who are alone and miss their loved ones. We all find it so pointless so inhumane that these innocents are taken by the angels before they have experienced life. peace be with you my friend electricblue

professor

17 years 7 months ago

Very true Maggie

nothing in life can ever be as traumatic as watching helpless as a child dies.Thanks for you comments, Keith