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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ADORED ONE: 2 by JAMES OPPENHEIM

First Line: BE WHAT YOU ARE: ALL WOMEN IN ONE
Last Line: BAFFLE US NO LONGER: YOU ARE ONLY BAFFLING YOURSELF.
Subject(s): WOMEN;

BE WHAT you are: all women in one:
Be the coarse fool, and the mean and petty complainer!
Be the slave, be the courtesan!
Be the haughty ruler of hearts, and the cruel strong empress!

Be also sweet, gentle, gracious:
The lovely child, and the wistful seeker after affection:
The calm woman, deep in brooding wisdom:
The healthy comrade, free and fleet-footed:
The watchful mother, with wings spread out for the loved one!

All that you hide mars what you reveal:
Be what you are, sure, various, strong:
Baffle us no longer: you are only baffling yourself.



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