Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes

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    It may be so, - perhaps thou hast
    A warm and loving heart;
    I will not blame thee for thy face,
    Poor devil as thou art.

    That thing thou fondly deem'st a nose,
    Unsightly though it be, - 
    In spite of all the cold world's scorn,
    It may be much to thee.

    Those eyes, - among thine elder friends
    Perhaps they pass for blue, - 
    No matter, - if a man can see,
    What more have eyes to do?

    Thy mouth, - that fissure in thy face,
    By something like a chin, - 
    May be a very useful place
    To put thy victual in.

    I know thou hast a wife at home,
    I know thou hast a child,
    By that subdued, domestic smile
    Upon thy features mild.

    That wife sits fearless by thy side,
    That cherub on thy knee;
    They do not shudder at thy looks,
    They do not shrink from thee.

    Above thy mantel is a hook, - 
    A portrait once was there;
    It was thine only ornament, - 
    Alas! that hook is bare.

    She begged thee not to let it go,
    She begged thee all in vain;
    She wept, - and breathed a trembling prayer
    To meet it safe again.

    It was a bitter sight to see
    That picture torn away;
    It was a solemn thought to think
    What all her friends would say!

    And often in her calmer hours,
    And in her happy dreams,
    Upon its long-deserted hook
    The absent portrait seems.

    Thy wretched infant turns his head
    In melancholy wise,
    And looks to meet the placid stare
    Of those unbending eyes.

    I never saw thee, lovely one, - 
    Perchance I never may;
    It is not often that we cross
    Such people in our way;

    But if we meet in distant years,
    Or on some foreign shore,
    Sure I can take my Bible oath,
    I've seen that face before.

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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a blend of satire, humor, and a touch of melancholy, marked by a strong narrative voice. The themes revolve around physical appearance, perception, and the power of memory. The narrator is simultaneously critical and sympathetic towards the poem's subject, using pointed wit to comment on their physical attributes while recognizing their emotional depth and domestic happiness.

The poem employs an AABB rhyme scheme, contributing to its playful tone, yet the subject matter is far from light-hearted. The narrator's critique of the subject's face is jarringly candid, employing vivid imagery and metaphor. The reference to the subject's nose, eyes, and mouth is almost caricatural, yet the poem balances this with poignant moments that reveal depth beyond physical appearance.

The narrative thread concerning the missing portrait is particularly compelling. The portrait, once an ornament, now absent, represents a lost piece of identity, a memory that the subject's wife clings to despite its absence. This element of the poem illustrates the power and importance of memory and perception, suggesting that our understanding of people can often be based more on remembered or perceived images than reality.

The poem's conclusion, in which the narrator anticipates recognizing the subject's face in the future, further emphasizes this theme. Despite the narrator's previous mockery, it is clear that the subject's face, with all its perceived flaws, has made a lasting impression. This suggests a deeper message about the significance and individuality of each person's physical appearance and the human capacity to remember and connect with others.