Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE NICKNAME by MAY WILLIAMS WARD

First Line: IT IS A VERY LITTLE THING
Last Line: AS SHE USED TO BE.
Subject(s): NAMES;

It is a very little thing
To spoil a life . . .

Anne is still unwed, who should
Be Robert's wife
And a mother. Her breast is deep
And her heart not cold.
She has outgrown the clumsiness
Of ten-years-old
When Robert gave her the queer nickname
That clings so tight --
Blunder Betty, he calls her still.
Her body, white,
Slim, with the grace of a tree in wind,
He does not see,
Stupidly picturing her in his mind
As she used to be.



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