A Woman Wronged

Cale Young Rice

1872 to 1943

Poem Image

I am dead and in my grave.
Let me alone.
The seeping of rains down through me,
And the reaching of roots down after me,
And the skimming of leaves above me, are enough.
Let me alone.

You have had your will of me,
So wherefore, now,
Should your questions creep here to me,
And the roots of your doubt reach at me,
And your thoughts restively skim and shudder above me?
Let me alone.

Would you rifle the grave too?
Go away.
I have nothing left for your taking.
My hair is not gold, but dust now.
My eyes are not stars, but stillness.
My flesh is not beauty aflame, but very cool.
Let me alone.