This poem was included in the original 1915 edition.
I WAS only eight years old; And before I grew up and knew what it meant I had no words for it, except That I was frightened and told my Mother; And that my Father got a pistol And would have killed Charlie, who was a big boy, Fifteen years old, except for his Mother. Nevertheless the story clung to me. But the man who married me, a widower of thirty-five, Was a newcomer and never heard it OTill two years after we were married. Then he considered himself cheated, And the village agreed that I was not really a virgin. Well, he deserted me, and I died The following winter.
, 7 months ago
Its very deep and really don't have to think about it too deeply. Its haunting with the context of the dead speaking from thier graves who don't have any need to lie or embellish thier stories. Whether or not this is a true story of a Nellie Clark, it is no doubt true for many.
, 7 months ago
yeah i totally agree
, 5 months ago
I love this poem. I have to do an English project on Edgar Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology and from the hundreds of people, chose Nellie Clark. Her poem really tells a story and there is feeling in it. This is one of my favorite poems ever. It is an easy story where you don't have to think alot but it says alot. :D
, 25 days ago
Some of us with, a few extra years of vision, remember when this was the way people in general thought. Yes, there were some who had moved away from this thinking then, and recently MANY more have moved away from it. Maybe we ARE making progress, but it is a HARD struggle.
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Tysh , 7 months ago
OMG... this poem is estatic!!! i love it...it's deep when u think about it.