Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A LETTER TO MARY, by MABEL KINGSLEY RICHARDSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A LETTER TO MARY, by                    
First Line: Unto the white narcissus that you sent
Last Line: Refuse the door to death lest you slip through.
Subject(s): Christmas; Parties; Nativity, The


Unto the white narcissus that you sent,
Offering its timorous cheer at Christmas tide,
A new and tender radiance is lent
Since came the message saying you have died.

There in the window—how you loved the light—
I set it where the morning sun shines first,
So like your happy face, star-eyed and bright
With wonder. Like you for life athirst.

Last night at dusk you passed me in the street,
I turned—but there was no one there to call;
And once the breakfast room grew swooning sweet
With the remembered fragrance of your shawl.

Almost I heard your step upon the stair,
The silken frou-frou of your party dress,
And in the shadow once your heavy hair
Fell as it would, cloaking your loveliness.

Not yet; perhaps when this your flower is dust
I may admit that what they tell is true.
But while your white narcissus blooms I must
Refuse the door to death lest you slip through.





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