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Poets > 19th Century > Oliver Wendell Holmes > The Two Streams
by Oliver Wendell Holmes Analysis & Poem  The Two Streams by
Oliver Wendell Holmes   "The Two Streams" is a poem written by
Oliver Wendell Holmes. This poem can be taken both literally and
metaphorically. Literally, it is talking specifically about two
river streams running across Oregon and into the Pacific Ocean.
Metaphorically, the poem is about two children going in
different directions after leaving home.  "The Two Streams" is a
four stanza poem with four lines in each stanza. The poem has a
rhyme scheme of ABAB. The poem is written in both iambic-
triameter and iambic-pentameter. All lines within each stanza
are triameter except the third line which is pentameter.   The
Two Streams  Behold the rocky wall That down its sloping sides
In rushing river-tides!  Yon stream, whose sources run Turned by
a pebble's edge, Is Athabasca, rolling toward the sun Through
the cleft mountain-ledge.