Amos Sibley


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This poem was included in the original 1915 edition.

NOT character, not fortitude, not patience
Were mine, the which the village thought I had
In bearing with my wife, while preaching on,
Doing the work God chose for me.
I loathed her as a termagant, as a wanton.
I knew of her adulteries, every one.
But even so, if I divorced the woman
I must forsake the ministry.
Therefore to do God's work and have it crop,
I bore with her
So lied I to myself
So lied I to Spoon River!
Yet I tried lecturing, ran for the legislature,
Canvassed for books, with just the thought in mind:
If I make money thus,
I will divorce her.
 

Comments


ErinRose , 7 months ago

Mrs. Sibley's epitaph directly follows Amos' in my version. It's very poignant, but is obviously alluding to her indiscretions...Did she bury her baby?

 
 

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character (in 2 documents)
chose (in 2 documents)
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Sibley (in 3 documents)
divorce (in 7 documents)
bore (in 4 documents)
lecture (in 4 documents)
legislature (in 4 documents)
wanton (in 4 documents)
Preach (in 5 documents)
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lied (in 12 documents)
loathe (in 6 documents)
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