Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AUNT HELEN, by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AUNT HELEN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Miss helen slingsby was my maiden aunt
Last Line: Who had always been so careful while her mistress lived.
Alternate Author Name(s): Eliot, T. S.


MISS HELEN SLINGSBY was my maiden aunt,
And lived in a small house near a fashionable square
Cared for by servants to the number of four.
Now when she died there was silence in heaven
And silence at her end of the street.
The shutters were drawn and the undertaker wiped his feet --
He was aware that this sort of thing had occurred before.
The dogs were handsomely provided for,
But shortly afterwards the parrot died too.
The Dresden clock continued ticking on the mantelpiece,
And the footman sat upon the dining-table
Holding the second housemaid on his knees --
Who had always been so careful while her mistress lived.






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