Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WIFE'S CHRISTMAS, by PHOEBE CARY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How can you speak to me so, charlie! Last Line: Your wife but a single year! Subject(s): Christmas; Marriage; Nativity, The; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
HOW can you speak to me so, Charlie! It isn't kind, nor right; You wouldn't have talked a year ago, As you have done to-night. You are sorry to see me sit and cry, Like a baby vexed, you say; When you didn't know I wanted a gift, Nor think about the day! But I'm not like a baby, Charlie, Crying for something fine; Only a loving woman pained, Could shed such tears as mine. For every Christmas time till now -- And that is why I grieve -- It was you that wanted to give, Charlie, More than I to receive. And all I ever had from you I have carefully laid aside; From the first June rose you pulled for me, To the veil I wore as a bride. And I wouldn't have cared to-night, Charlie, How poor the gift or small; If you only had brought me something to show That you thought of me at all. The merest trifle of any kind, That I could keep or wear; A flimsy bit of lace for my neck, Or a ribbon for my hair. Some pretty story of lovers true, Or a book of pleasant rhyme; A flower, or a holly branch, to mark The blessed Christmas time. But to be forgotten, Charlie! 'T is that that brings the tear; And just to think, that I haven't been Your wife but a single year! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV A LEGEND OF THE NORTHLAND by PHOEBE CARY |
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