Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ANODYNE by HARRIET GRAY BLACKWELL

First Line: WHEN I WAS YOUNG I LEARNED TO MINIMIZE
Last Line: OH LET HER REALIZE MY SOUL IS STRAIGHT.
Subject(s): DAUGHTERS;
When I was young I learned to minimize
My crooked back and strive for self-control
When someone pitied me. I played the role
Of fair-haired princess under curious eyes,
And if at times there were heart-breaking cries
Within me, I drew close the velvet stole
Of courage loaned me by the sightless mole
And thought that pain had made me strong and wise.

But now I am besieged with trembling fear,
For yesterday my daughter looked at me
With shrinking wonder. God, please compensate
Her dawning consciousness when children jeer
And as an anodyne for agony
Oh let her realize my soul is straight.



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