Living

Riddle 61

by Carolyn Wells 1862–1942

From At the Sign of the Sphinx (Second Series)

Living

The banners were waving, gems glittered and shone,
When my first and my second ascended the throne,
And peacefully reigned with a merciful sway
In glory and splendor. But one summer day
A message was brought to the court and the state
That the king was not coming, the session must wait.
A great consternation o’er all faces spread;
They whispered in sorrow, “Alack for his head!”
And the courtiers echoed, “Alas for his poll!
Oh, who can now help him, his head is my whole!”

✦ ✦ ✦

Answer: ACHING

MLA

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 61.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/178/.

Chicago

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 61.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/178/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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