Living

Riddle 55

by Carolyn Wells 1862–1942

From At the Sign of the Sphinx (Second Series)

Living

My first, men call thee wicked, and perhaps they may be right,
Yet I contend thou shouldst be judged according to thy light.

My last, thou art a messenger received with joy or dread,--
Frequently driven, very deaf, found in an humble shed.

My whole, of upright bearing, and found in many lands,
In order to be seen of men, upon street-corners stands.

✦ ✦ ✦

Answer: LAMPPOST

MLA

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 55.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/172/.

Chicago

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 55.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/172/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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