The Poetry Corner

Friend Of A Wayward Hour

By James Whitcomb Riley

Friend of a wayward hour, you came Like some good ghost, and went the same; And I within the haunted place Sit smiling on your vanished face, And talking with - your name. But thrice the pressure of your hand - First hail - congratulations - and Your last "God bless you!" as the train That brought you snatched you back again Into the unknown land. "God bless me?" Why, your very prayer Was answered ere you asked it there, I know - for when you came to lend Me your kind hand, and call me friend, God blessed me unaware.