Elsa Wertman


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This poem was included in the original 1915 edition.

I WAS a peasant girl from Germany,
Blue-eyed, rosy, happy and strong.
And the first place I worked was at Thomas Greene's.
On a summer's day when she was away
He stole into the kitchen and took me
Right in his arms and kissed me on my throat,
I turning my head. Then neither of us
Seemed to know what happened.
And I cried for what would become of me.
And cried and cried as my secret began to show.
One day Mrs. Greene said she understood,
And would make no trouble for me,
And, being childless, would adopt it.
(He had given her a farm to be still. )
So she hid in the house and sent out rumors,
As if it were going to happen to her.
And all went well and the child was born--
They were so kind to me.
Later I married Gus Wertman, and years passed.
But-- at political rallies when sitters-by thought I was crying
At the eloquence of Hamilton Greene--
That was not it. No! I wanted to say:
That's my son!
That's my son.
 

Comments


Edward , 9 months ago

so sad yet not

 

Felicia , about 1 month ago

I think this is so sad. She being of such little status, and her son, what she had bear, is an eloquent aristocrat. All she seems to want is to take credit for this gem of a boy. This is really sad

 

Bhavneet , about 1 month ago

I feel really bad for Elsa because she gave up her own son. Later she regretted her decision and wanted her son back. However, she is really fortunate for giving her son to Thomas Greene who helped Hamilton brighten his future.

 
 

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