Living

Riddle 84

by Carolyn Wells 1862–1942

From At the Sign of the Sphinx (Second Series)

Living

When the story about Looking Backward we read,
We learn of a strange human being,
Who turned to my first; unlike many deed,
The trouble was caused by far-seeing.

In my second (though flowing with honey, I ’ve heard)
I hope I shall ne’er be a dweller;
And yet from my first to my second and third
Is as far as from attic to cellar.

My whole comes in pairs, and is useful to all,
Though its style may be out of all reason;
Its fashions are changing, now large and now small,
And we ’re glad if it holds but a season.

✦ ✦ ✦

Answer: SALTCELLAR

MLA

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 84.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/201/.

Chicago

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 84.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/201/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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