Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MIRANDA MORGAN, by QUEENE B. LISTER First Line: She listened to the click Last Line: Who whistled like a bird. Alternate Author Name(s): Ryan, E. P., Mrs. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives | ||||||||
She listened to the click Of the front picket gate. John would close it slowly -- It would slam -- if it were Nate. She pinned an oleander flower In her hair. . . . Nate would take the sofa -- John would take a chair. She looked at a portrait That hung above the organ And met the eyes Of her grandfather Morgan. A horse's hoof-beats Slowed at the gate. . . . She wished it wouldn't have to be John or Nate. She glanced at the squareness Of her grandsire's chin And wished she wouldn't have to say "Please step in." Miranda understood What each one would do -- What each one would talk about What each one knew. John would still be planning To clear the southeast half -- Nate would 'low he'd mabey Sell a heifer-calf. The gate didn't click. She tired of waiting -- Only a night-bird Sang of mating. She walked across the parlor And out to the veranda Where she heard her name whispered, "Miranda, -- Miranda -- ?" * * * * * The gate stood open -- There was only the sound Of faint padded hoof-beats On distant ground. . . . Neighbors often wondered What she saw or heard In a half-breed Indian lad Who whistled like a bird. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY AUNT ELLA MAE by MICHAEL S. HARPER THE GOLDEN SHOVEL by TERRANCE HAYES LIZARDS AND SNAKES by ANTHONY HECHT THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND EYES: I LOVE by LYN HEJINIAN CHILD ON THE MARSH by ANDREW HUDGINS MY MOTHER'S HANDS by ANDREW HUDGINS PLAYING DEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS THE GLASS HAMMER by ANDREW HUDGINS INSECT LIFE OF FLORIDA by LYNDA HULL |
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