Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A WOMAN'S DEATH-WOUND, by HELEN MARIA HUNT FISKE JACKSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A WOMAN'S DEATH-WOUND, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It left upon her tender flesh no trace
Last Line: "did I deserve to die this bitterest way?"
Alternate Author Name(s): H. H.; Holm, Saxe; Jackson, Helen Hunt
Subject(s): Death; Kisses; Love; Murder; Women; Dead, The


It left upon her tender flesh no trace.
The murderer is safe. As swift as light
The weapon fell, and, in the summer night,
Did scarce the silent, dewy air displace;
'T was but a word. A blow had been less base.
Like dumb beast branded by an iron white
With heat, she turned in blind and helpless flight,
But then remembered, and with piteous face
Came back.
Since then, the world has nothing missed
In her, in voice or smile. But she -- each day
She counts until her dying be complete.
One moan she makes, and ever doth repeat:
"O lips that I have loved and kissed and kissed,
Did I deserve to die this bitterest way?"





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