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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ILLEGITIMATE, by JOHN A. STOVER
First Line: A tainted thing it came into the world
Last Line: As though it were an angel undefiled.
Subject(s): Children - Illegitimate; Birth - Out Of Wedlock; Bastards
First Line: A tainted thing it came into the world
Last Line: As though it were an angel undefiled.
Subject(s): Children - Illegitimate; Birth - Out Of Wedlock; Bastards
A tainted thing it came into the world,
Unwanted by the one that gave it birth,
And burdened by the titles at it hurled --
Unwelcomed -- fatherless -- no pride -- no worth.
All those who looked upon it coldly said,
They saw the marks of sin upon its face,
And thought it better one thus born were dead,
Than that it live where none would give it place.
And then the baby, knowing not the fate
That others planned for it, due to the sin
In which it had no part, looked up and smiled,
And men beholding opened wide the gate
Of destiny that it might enter in,
As though it were an Angel undefiled.
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