This poem was included in the original 1915 edition.
Where are Elmer, Herman, Bert, Tom and Charley, The weak of will, the strong of arm, the clown, the boozer, the fighter? All, all are sleeping on the hill. One passed in a fever, One was burned in a mine, One was killed in a brawl, One died in a jail, One fell from a bridge toiling for children and wife- All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping on the hill. Where are Ella, Kate, Mag, Lizzie and Edith, The tender heart, the simple soul, the loud, the proud, the happy one?-- All, all are sleeping on the hill. One died in shameful child-birth, One of a thwarted love, One at the hands of a brute in a brothel, One of a broken pride, in the search for heart's desire; One after life in far-away London and Paris Was brought to her little space by Ella and Kate and Mag-- All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping on the hill. Where are Uncle Isaac and Aunt Emily, And old Towny Kincaid and Sevigne Houghton, And Major Walker who had talked With venerable men of the revolution?-- All, all are sleeping on the hill. They brought them dead sons from the war, And daughters whom life had crushed, And their children fatherless, crying-- All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping on the hill. Where is Old Fiddler Jones Who played with life all his ninety years, Braving the sleet with bared breast, Drinking, rioting, thinking neither of wife nor kin, Nor gold, nor love, nor heaven? Lo! he babbles of the fish-frys of long ago, Of the horse-races of long ago at Clary's Grove, Of what Abe Lincoln said One time at Springfield.
, 6 months ago
i think this is very odd one but i love wat it talks about
, 5 months ago
read the story for mrs charles bliss i believe that is where charlie came from. it fits One fell from a bridge toiling for children and wife
, 3 months ago
I think.... that spoon river is a load of middle eastern cum filled jelly touchin crap.
fuck you.
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Jay Bushman , 8 months ago
Who are the people referenced in this poem. Some of them do not have epitaphs, but some of them do, and there are others that I can't figure out, but I'm guessing do have them.
In the first verse, it's probably safe to say that he's referencing Elmer Karr, Herman Altman, Bert Kessler (passed in a fever due to snakebite?), and Tom Merritt (died in a jail). I can't find a match for Charley.
The women in verse 3 are more difficult. The only one I think is clear is Edith Conant. Lizzie could be Elizabeth Childers who died in childbirth. Ollie McGee might be Ella, died of broken pride. Hortense Robbins and Dora Williams both lived in London and/or Paris, but those don't seem to match up with the names. And what of the clue about Ella, Kate and Mag bringing one of the others to their "little space." Does that imply a family relation?
In verse 4, I think most of them are references to real people in Masters' life. Towny Kincaid could be Russell Kincaid. Sevigne Houghton could be related to Jonathan Houghton.
Old Fiddler Jones is probably the easiest match to make.
And something that always bugs me about this poem - given Masters' strong feelings against Lincoln, and the prominent place the reference occupies at the very end of the poem, I can't help but wonder if he's referencing something specific, some actual quote that Lincoln made at Springfield. Although I can't think of any way to find out what that might be.