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1849–1916

Her Hair

James Whitcomb Riley

The beauty of her hair bewilders me — Pouring adown the brow, its cloven tide Swirling about the ears on either side And storming round the neck tumultuously:

Or like the lights of old antiquity Through mullioned windows, in cathedrals wide Spilled moltenly o'er figures deified In chastest marble, nude of drapery.

And so I love it —. Either unconfined; Or plaited in close braidings manifold; Or smoothly drawn; or indolently twined In careless knots whose coilings come unrolled

At any lightest kiss; or by the wind Whipped out in flossy ravellings of gold.

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Her Hair · James Whitcomb Riley · Poetry Cove