One more Unfortunate,
Weary of breath,
Rashly importunate,
Gone to her death!
Take her up tenderly,
Lift her with care;
Fashion'd so slenderly
Young, and so fair!
Look at her garments
Clinging like cerements;
Whilst the wave constantly
Drips from her clothing;
Take her up instantly,
Loving, not loathing.
Touch her not scornfully;
Think of her mournfully,
Gently and humanly;
Not of the stains of her,
All that remains of her
Now is pure womanly.
Make no deep scrutiny
Into her mutiny
Rash and undutiful:
Past all dishonour,
Death has left on her
Only the beautiful.
Still, for all slips of hers,
One of Eve's family—
Wipe those poor lips of hers
Oozing so clammily.
Loop up her tresses
Escaped from the comb,
Her fair auburn tresses;
Whilst wonderment guesses
Where was her home?
Who was her father?
Who was her mother?
Had she a sister?
Had she a brother?
Or was there a dearer one
Still, and a nearer one
Yet, than all other?
Alas! for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the sun!
O, it was pitiful!
Near a whole city full,
Home she had none.
Sisterly, brotherly,
Fatherly, motherly
Feelings had changed:
Love, by harsh evidence,
Thrown from its eminence;
Even God's providence
Seeming estranged.
Where the lamps quiver
So far in the river,
With many a light
From window and casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood, with amazement,
Houseless by night.
The bleak wind of March
Made her tremble and shiver;
But not the dark arch,
Or the black flowing river:
Mad from life's history,
Glad to death's mystery,
Swift to be hurl'd—
Anywhere, anywhere
Out of the world!
In she plunged boldly—
No matter how coldly
The rough river ran—
Over the brink of it,
Picture it—think of it,
Dissolute Man!
Lave in it, drink of it,
Then, if you can!
Take her up tenderly,
Lift her with care;
Fashion'd so slenderly,
Young, and so fair!
Ere her limbs frigidly
Stiffen too rigidly,
Decently, kindly,
Smooth and compose them;
And her eyes, close them,
Staring so blindly!
Dreadfully staring
Thro' muddy impurity,
As when with the daring
Last look of despairing
Fix'd on futurity.
Perishing gloomily,
Spurr'd by contumely,
Cold inhumanity,
Burning insanity,
Into her rest.—
Cross her hands humbly
As if praying dumbly,
Over her breast!
Owning her weakness,
Her evil behaviour,
And leaving, with meekness,
Her sins to her Saviour!
Thomas Hood
My Review
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Oh, this is hauntingly beautiful. And I'm sure more than one person could relate with this. I know I can, in my own way. Taunting with death because of society's inability to accept people for who they are. And then when you lose someone so harshly, so quickly, due to judgements made by people who are ignorant, is painful.
This is amazing work. Thanks for RR'ing it to me.
Truly Powerful Joshua!! WOW!
You never cease to amaze me with your vivid depiction and emotionally riveting writes...
This one transcends beyond torment.... it's torture to the soul...
"Me, I will never forget her
sometimes I swear
I can still hear her whisper my name"~Haunting write, my friend. ~xoxo~
so sad. So sad.
Her lifeless body fell into the thoughts and prayers
of well wishers everywhere, only to be forgotten
after a short parade through empty streets
a life reduced to the lines above. Its heart wrenching
A very emotive and expressive work..Uniquely creative read..I hope that this has not touched your life personally but just a topic about which you have chosen to write..Thanks for stopping by my page..Sara
Very poignant and very poetic. Suicide is a theme well-explored, but you have stamped your individuality on the poem. I see a blend of the real and the metaphorical here that I find very compelling. It is what makes poetry natural. You can connect and empathise with the poet on multiple levels. Reminds me a bit of "The Bridge of Sighs" by Thomas Hood. I also think the ending is very touching, a personal connection is established there in an otherwise impersonal account. This is a refined poem from someone who evidently understands poetry. Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.... This one fits that mold. Well done!
Posted 11 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
11 Years Ago
I read "The Bridge of Sighs" by Thomas Hood. Thank you for pointing me there and thank you for your .. read moreI read "The Bridge of Sighs" by Thomas Hood. Thank you for pointing me there and thank you for your insightful review.
"Her lifeless body fell into the thoughts and prayers
of well wishers everywhere, only to be forgotten
after a short parade through empty streets."
You've portrayed a vivid description of reality here. You've done a wonderful job. :)
"My trepidation of things past is not a song with a beginning, middle and end. But an endless symphony playing infinite variations on the same theme. One day of sadness fades into another and the .. more..