Living

Riddle 113

by Carolyn Wells 1862–1942

From At the Sign of the Sphinx (Second Series)

Living

My first was ground beneath the oppressor’s wheel,
Subjected unto barbarous tyrannies;
With ears cut off, encaged in netted wire
Into a burning fiery furnace thrust.
My first take from my second, and my whole
Remains.
My second is a faithful friend.
Gaily with him across the moors I go
From morn to dewy eve.
I went one day
To visit an old man. Beside the fire
He sate. His well-loved pipe, made of my whole,
He smoked in calm and undisturbed content.

✦ ✦ ✦

Answer: CORNCOB

MLA

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 113.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/230/.

Chicago

Wells, Carolyn. “Riddle 113.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wells_c/230/.

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