Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WIFE, by MILTON SAWYER ROSE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WIFE, by                    
First Line: The wife,' he said, whenever he spoke of her
Last Line: The use that never sees a flower or star.
Subject(s): Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


'The wife', he said, whenever he spoke of her,
That little sweet-faced girl who seemed too young
To bear the name of wife. It was quite plain
Those wide blue eyes had never dreamed to be
The thing he thought her -- just a thing of use --
And her quick smiles were not receipts for pay.
But things wear out in use; so she wore out,
Until, one day, when he called 'wife', none came.

This is a solemn story that I tell,
And half the sadness has not yet been told:
That her glad beauty never found a lover;
That all the starry joys of those sweet eyes
Should be degraded to the feet of use,
The use that never sees a flower or star.





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