Living

Riddle 9

by Carolyn Wells 1862–1942

From At the Sign of the Sphinx (Second Series)

Living

My first was a hapless queen
Who died one day in Spring;
My first might stand before an Earl
But never before a King.

My second is Erin’s luck,
The end of all success;
My third is a Scandinavian god
Who succoured those in distress.

Scientists disagree
About the immortal soul;
But Evolution seems to prove
We ’re descended from my whole.

✦ ✦ ✦

Answer: ANCESTOR

MLA

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 9.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/126/.

Chicago

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 9.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/126/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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