Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A WOMAN'S QUESTION, by LENA LATHROP First Line: Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing Last Line: Are not to be won that way. Variant Title(s): A Woman's Answer To A Man's Question Subject(s): Women | ||||||||
DO YOU KNOW you have asked for the costliest thing Ever made by the Hand above? A woman's heart, and a woman's life -- And a woman's wonderful love. Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing As a child might ask for a toy? Demanding what others have died to win, With the reckless dash of a boy. You have written my lesson of duty out; Manlike, you have questioned me. Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul Until I shall question thee. You require your mutton shall be always hot, Your socks and your shirt be whole; I require your heart to be true as God's stars And as pure as His heaven your soul. You require a cook for your mutton and beef, I require a far greater thing; A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts -- I look for a man and a king. A king for the beautiful realm called Home, And a man that his Maker, God, Shall look upon as He did on the first And say: "It is very good." I am fair and young, but the rose may fade From my soft young cheek one day; Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves, As you did 'mong the blossoms of May? Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep, I may launch my all on its tide? A loving woman finds heaven or hell On the day she is made a bride. I require all things that are grand and true, All things that a man should be; If you give this all, I would stake my life To be all you demand of me. If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook You can hire and little to pay; But a woman's heart and a woman's life Are not to be won that way. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV THE LAST WORD OF A BLUEBIRD; AS TOLD TO A CHILD by ROBERT FROST |
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