The Woman At The Gate

Read 'The Woman At The Gate' by 'Robert William Service' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

The Woman At The Gate by Robert William Service

 "Where is your little boy to-day?"
 I asked her at the gate.
"I used to see him at his play,
 And often I would wait:
He was so beautiful, so bright,
 I watched him with delight.

"He had a tiny motor-car
 And it was painted red;
He wound it up; it ran so far,
 So merrily it sped.
I think he told me that it was
 A gift from Santa Claus."

The woman said: "It ran so far
 He followed it with joy.
Then came a real motor-car,--
 He sought to save his toy . . .
My little boy is far away
 Where angel children play.

"His father perished in the War;
 Now I am all alone,
And death is all I'm longing for . . ."
 So said with face of stone
That woman. "Curse their crazy cars
 And cruel wars!"

Form: Ballad Comments

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