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Home  »  Poetry: A Magazine of Verse  »  Frances Shaw

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.

Skeletons

Frances Shaw

From “Songs”

  • Gird thy warrior’s armor on,
  • And fare thou forth thyself alone.

  • EMPTY frame upon the wall;

    Secret presence in the hall;

    In the closets we abide

    Of the whole green country side.

    Savage chief, who sold his wife,

    Priest, who took a martyr’s life.

    Madman, raving of his gain;

    Cruel pirate of the main;

    Drunkard, fallen in her track;

    Soldier, wounded in the back;

    Scarlet letter, branded deep;

    Just the tendency to sleep.

    Empty frame upon the wall;

    Secret presence in the hall;

    In the closets we abide

    Of the whole green country side.