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1849–1916

A LOUNGER.

James Whitcomb Riley

He leant against a lamp-post, lost In some mysterious reverie: His head was bowed; his arms were crossed; He yawned, and glanced evasively:

Uncrossed his arms, and slowly put Them back again, and scratched his side — Shifted his weight from foot to foot, And gazed out no-ward, idle-eyed.

Grotesque of form and face and dress, And picturesque in every way — A figure that from day to day Drooped with a limper laziness;

A figure such as artists lean, In pictures where distress is seen, Against low hovels where we guess No happiness has ever been.

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A LOUNGER. · James Whitcomb Riley · Poetry Cove