Poems
Addison, Medora C. & Davies, Mary Carolyn & Chen, Kwei & Strahan, Speer & Madeleva, Sister M. & Engels, Norbert
December 8, t926 THE COMMONWEAL 133 POEMS
xuestions on a Nun's Habit You do not think it is because I do not share
A woman's subtle weakness for the piquancy of dress--- Its swift, sure...
...Oh, yes--that's the place Where I used to dance Before I was dead...
...Of wearing one's shroud Every day, all day, In the heat and the crowd, On Easter and Christmas day...
...MEDORA C. ADmso~r...
...c.~urrender Wings that are beaten in vain What do you think to gain From this bitter jest, but a bleeding breast For your pain ? Say, "These are beautiful bars, Here I am safe from the scars Of the sharp unrest and the endless quest Of the stars...
...They say, my love, The bark of pomegranates has grazed your cheekw But tell me Why have your bands and feet a deeper dye...
...For God is here now, quietly...
...The wine presses are running While the song lifts of those who tread out the vintage...
...Versailles Shadows long and grey are here, Dimming the halls, The marble walls That always had been dark with fear...
...Is it because you do not wish to waste Words upon one whose world in secret you deplore ? You are not sorry for me...
...ca?led The loveliest one in the gardens of Paradise Casually said, With an indifferent lift Of her shingled head, "The world...
...lr in Gobi A well in Gobi-- Rain after a long dry season-- Unexpected, but appreciated...
...A breeze above the brook-Autumn moonlight, quiescent-- On the green leaves, the reflected beams of the sunset...
...But now, a soft and soothing calm Like the chanting of a psalm On a venerate brother's breath, Lies in the halls--- The marble walls, That tended royal life and death...
...Of all the dozen gowns I ever wore And have abandoned, orchid and shadow-grey and powder-blue, This is the only one that you need envy me-You have not ever cared to find me beautiful before, Have you ? SISTER M. M~a)ELEVA...
...All night long She wandered among the reeds, Searching, searching something That had been lost . . . SPEER STRAIIAN...
...Wearing a casque of silver And helmet of beaten gold, The moon walked last night between two slim young pine trees . . . Like Pharaoh's daughter...
...KwEI CHIN...
...December 8, t926 THE COMMONWEAL 133 POEMS xuestions on a Nun's Habit You do not think it is because I do not share A woman's subtle weakness for the piquancy of dress--- Its swift, sure coquetry, its studied carelessness-That I wear what I wear ? You do not think it is because I do not dare Its recklessness...
...The Mad Lover He was lovelier than the white birch The wind holds Against the sky . . . But now, Since His death, His body is warm And fragrant as the body of a cherry tree...
...Ah, could I but retain moments so transient If but for so long that I might be their companion ? Human steps sounding in an empty vale--- Home things found in a stranger land-- I know them not, But how intimate they appear to me...
...You do not think me dressed quite unbecomingly ? (You would give much to be attired so adequately...
...Not fear of God though, fear of man Whose heart was black, and rough, and galled With treason, lust, and royalty...
...What do you say Of wearing one's bridal gown To town--To church on Good Friday...
...MARY CAROLYN DAVIES...
...And your feet Are as red as wine . . . or blood...
...You do not say I have bad taste Or none at all, or that I am less than fastidious and proud...
...NORI3ERT ENO~L...
Vol. 5 • December 1926 • No. 5
