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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE INQUEST, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I took my oath I would inquire Last Line: Perhaps my mother murdered me.' Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H. Subject(s): Abortion; Child Molesting; Murder; Child Abuse | |||
I took my oath I would inquire, Without affection, hate, or wrath, Into the death of Ada Wright -- So help me God! I took that oath. When I went out to see the corpse, The four months' babe that died so young, I judged it was seven pounds in weight, And little more than one foot long. One eye, that had a yellow lid, Was shut -- so was the mouth, that smiled; The left eye open, shining bright -- It seemed a knowing little child. For as I looked at that one eye, It seemed to laugh, and say with glee: 'What caused my death you'll never know -- Perhaps my mother murdered me.' When I went into court again, To hear the mother's evidence -- It was a love-child, she explained. And smiled, for our intelligence. 'Now, Gentlemen of the Jury,' said The coroner -- 'this woman's child By misadventure met its death.' 'Aye, aye,' said we. The mother smiled. And I could see that child's one eye Which seemed to laugh, and say with glee: 'What caused my death you'll never know -- Perhaps my mother murdered me.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHAT WE CARRY; FOR DONALD by DORIANNE LAUX THE VICTIM by ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT FOR THE TAKING by LINDA GREGERSON THE WHIPPING by ROBERT EARL HAYDEN THE MYSTERY OF THE CAVES by MICHAEL WATERS A BIRD'S ANGER by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES |
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