Louise Smith (by Edgar Lee Masters)

Edgar Lee Masters US stamp

Louise Smith
by Edgar Lee Masters
from Spoon River Anthology [1915]

Herbert broke our engagement of eight years
When Annabelle returned to the village
From the Seminary, ah me!
If I had let my love for him alone
It might have grown into a beautiful sorrow—
Who knows?—filling my life with healing fragrance.
But I tortured it, I poisoned it
I blinded its eyes, and it became hatred—
Deadly ivy instead of clematis.
And my soul fell from its support
Its tendrils tangled in decay.
Do not let the will play gardener to your soul
Unless you are sure
It is wiser than your soul's nature.



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Click here to read more of Spoon River Anthology in the Online Library

   

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Posted by Jesus Crisis at 12/26/2009 10:59 AM
Categories: Masters (Edgar Lee),Poetry,1900s,American
Tags: Spoon River Anthology 1915 Edgar Lee Masters American Poetry American Literature
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