Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOSTESS, by HELEN MITCHELL RICHARDS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HOSTESS, by                    
First Line: Tho' she was working in the zinnia bed
Last Line: Who met death even as a gracious friend.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


Tho' she was working in the zinnia bed
Or playing with the puppies on the floor,
She left what she was doing at the tread
Of someone's feet at the south-facing door:
And there she stood, golden and grave and gay,
A spirit of the nest and of the wing,
Making one glad in such a simple way --
This genius of the art of welcoming.
Just so she stood, smiling and very kind,
In special flowered frock for tea-time drest,
And watched a shadowy stranger doorward wind --
Stretched out her hand and welcomed this Last Guest.
Hostess indeed, true hostess to the end
Who met Death even as a gracious friend.





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