Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.

Portrait of a Lady

Marjorie Allen Seiffert

GOOD morning, madam, in your sleepy brown hair—

Twist yourself awake, blink and stare!

I am lying on the floor,

With the old rose-red

Dressing-gown you wore

When you went to bed.

Don’t look stupid with your drowsy blue eyes—

Here by the bed is your disguise!

You’re a gentle wife

And a tender mother,

And all your life

You shall be no other.

Life is a shawl to wrap about your shoulder—

Every day warmer, every day older.

In half an hour

You’ll be dressed,

Youth like a flower

Wilting on your breast.