Analysis of The Guardian Angel

Edith Nesbit 1858 (Kennington, Surrey ) – 1924 (New Romney, Kent)



WHEN my good-nights and prayers are said
And I am safe tucked up in bed,
I know my guardian angel stands
And holds my soul between his hands.

I cannot see his wings of light
Because I keep my eyes shut tight,
For, if I open them, I know
My pretty angel has to go.

But through the darkness I can hear
His white wings rustling very near;
I know it is his darling wings,
Not Mother folding up my things!


Scheme AABB CCDD XXEE
Poetic Form Quatrain  (67%)
Metre 11110111 01111101 111100101 01110111 11011111 01111111 11110111 11010111 11010111 11110101 11111101 11010111
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 408
Words 83
Sentences 4
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4
Lines Amount 12
Letters per line (avg) 26
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 103
Words per stanza (avg) 27
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on May 01, 2023

24 sec read
104

Edith Nesbit

Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland) was an English author and poet; she published her books for children under the name of E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 books of children's literature. She was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society, a socialist organisation later affiliated to the Labour Party. more…

All Edith Nesbit poems | Edith Nesbit Books

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