Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HIS WIDOW, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The wreaths shrivelled and froze upon his grave
Last Line: And slept -- and snored a little... Life isn't so bad.
Subject(s): Funerals; Life; Sleep; Widows & Widowers; Burials


The wreaths shrivelled and froze upon his grave.
She sat before the fire and warmed her knees
And yawned with relief and thought how black would please
The white of her skin; then softly trilled a stave
Of the new popular air, "Life Isn't So Bad!"

A horrid day for a funeral! ... But grief
Had certainly been becoming to her; and she
Had raised her veil at the prettiest time to see
Eyes bent upon her -- men's eyes -- ardent if brief.
She would be wealthy too... "Life isn't so bad."

She must reduce her hips though: and be brave
And sad: a second husband likes to take
A widow's weeds off -- for a great new love's sake.
She knew just how she would let him -- sweet and grave.
He should be very proud... "Life isn't so bad."

She brushed her hair and tended to her nails,
And ate a chocolate cream: the wreaths were freezing...
She cried a little; two or three tears come squeezing;
But told herself that true strength never fails
The deepest hearts, and ceased... "Life isn't so bad."

She went to bed. Her head upon the pillow
Would have looked very lovely, she was sure,
Had there been any to see.... A year to endure!
She sighed, and felt as sad as wind in a willow,
And slept -- and snored a little... Life isn't so bad.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net