Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.
Make No Vows
By Grace Fallow Norton
I
I was young and I was lonely.
When I grew strong I said: “This vow
Is too narrow for me now.
Who am I to be bound by old oaths?
I will change them as I change my clothes!”
Was like fetters upon me now.
It was hard to break, hard to break;
Hard to shake from me, hard to shake.
He is not free who is free only in the sun-light.
He is not free who bears fetters in his dreams,
Nor he who laughs only by dark dream-fed streams.
Watch, then, where all your strength you give!
For I, who would be so wild and wondrous now,
Must give, give, to break a burdening bitter vow.