Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OLD WOMAN by MIRIAM VEDDER

First Line: A VERY OLD WOMAN ONCE LIVED IN A HOUSE
Last Line: AND WHAT THE OLD WOMAN WRAPPED 'ROUND HER AT NIGHT.
Subject(s): OLD AGE; WELLESLEY COLLEGE; WOMEN;
A VERY old woman once lived in a house,
As grey as the rain, and as still as a mouse.

Two candles she had, and a table and chair,
And all by herself the old woman lived there.

And never a neighbor, taking her way past,
Saw her at supper or dinner or breakfast.

Only the rose tree that grew by the shutter
Knew something more than a rose tree could utter:

Knew why the cupboard was empty and white,
And what the old woman wrapped 'round her at night.



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