Skip to content
1871–1940

THE HELPLESS

William H. Davies

Those poor, heartbroken wretches, doomed To hear at night the clocks’ hard tones; They have no beds to warm their limbs, But with those limbs must warm cold stones;

Those poor weak men, whose coughs and ailings Force them to tear at iron railings. Those helpless men that starve, my pity; Whose waking day is never done;

Who, save for their own shadows, are Doomed night and day to walk alone: They know no bright face but the sun's, So cold and dark are human ones.

Cookies on Poetry Cove

We use cookies to remember your language preference and — only with your consent — to learn how Poetry Cove is used. You can change your mind any time.
THE HELPLESS · William H. Davies · Poetry Cove