Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE RECLUSE, by FANNIE STEARNS DAVIS GIFFORD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RECLUSE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I am too much in love with loneliness
Last Line: Life! Stab me! Make me fight before I die!
Alternate Author Name(s): Davis, Fannie Stearns
Subject(s): Solitude; Loneliness


I AM too much in love with loneliness.
To-night, with secret joy I shut my door, --
(This is a shameful thing that I confess,)
But I desired no footstep on my floor,
No friend to share my hearth-fire, and the still
Warm hours, before the midnight chime swings clear,
And the small owlet hoots across the hill,
And I join hands with Sleep, cool-fingered, dear.

I had no need of talk or song; no need
Of love. Love would have hurt and frightened me.
The wind went by; I heard the lilac-seed
Dry-tipped, beat on the window stubbornly.
And I sat glad and silent and complete.
I had no need in all the world. My heart
Purred like the great gray cat. It seemed so sweet
To shut the door, on Life, -- and sit apart.

Life! this is shameful! Call me out before
I die of loving loneliness too well.
Send hordes of beggars battering my door,
To keep me clear of happiness, and hell.
Send me great love to hurt me. Send me fear
And anger, God's fierce messengers, -- for I
Am swooning, swooning, in my fire-light here.
Life! stab me! make me fight before I die!





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