Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HILL WIFE: THE IMPULSE, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: It was too lonely for her there
Last Line: Besides the grave.
Subject(s): Marriage; Men; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


It was too lonely for her there,
And too wild,
And since there were but two of them,
And no child,

And work was little in the house,
She was free,
And followed where he furrowed field,
Or felled tree.

She rested on a log and tossed
The fresh chips,
With a song only to herself
On her lips.

And once she went back to break a bough
Of black alder.
She strayed so far she scarcely heard
When he called her --

And didn't answer -- didn't speak --
Or return.
She stood, and then she ran and hid
In the fern.

He never found her, though he looked
Everywhere.
And he asked at her mother's house
Was she there.

Sudden and swift and light as that
The ties gave,
And he learned of finalities
Besides the grave.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net