Living

Riddle 81

by Carolyn Wells 1862–1942

From At the Sign of the Sphinx (Second Series)

Living

My whole ’s very narrow, but oft it may be
A way of escape that is welcomed with glee.
My first, although swift, sometimes loses the race;
It is seen when we look a friend in the face.
My last we may estimate, measure, or guess,
The width of a coat and the length of a dress.

✦ ✦ ✦

Answer: HAIRBREADTH

MLA

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 81.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/198/.

Chicago

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 81.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/198/.

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