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NAMELESS PAIN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I should be happy with my lot
Last Line: If any other lot were mine.
Alternate Author Name(s): Stoddard, Richard, Mrs.
Subject(s): Pain; Women's Rights; Suffering; Misery; Feminism


I should be happy with my lot:
A wife and mother - is it not
Enough for me to be content?
What other blessing could be sent?

A quiet house, and homely ways,
That make each day like other days;
I only see Time's shadow now
Darken the hair on baby's brow!

No world's work ever comes to me,
No beggar brings his misery;
I have no power, no healing art
With bruised soul or broken heart.

I read the poets of the age,
'Tis lotus-eating in a cage;
I study Art, but Art is dead
To one who clamors to be fed

With milk from Nature's rugged breast,
Who longs for Labor's lusty rest.
O foolish wish! I still could pine
If any other lot were mine.




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