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Poems by Women

Stupidity

Amy Lowell

Dearest, forgive that with my clumsy touch
      I broke and bruised your rose.
      I hardly could suppose
It were a thing so fragile that my clutch
         Could kill it, thus.

It stood so proudly up upon its stem,
      I knew no thought of fear,
      And coming very near
Fell, overbalanced, to your garment's hem,
         Tearing it down.

Now, stooping, I upgather, one by one,
      The crimson petals, all
      Outspread about my fall.
They hold their fragrance still, a blood-red cone
         Of memory.

And with my words I carve a little jar
      To keep their scented dust,
      Which, opening, you must
Breathe to your soul, and, breathing, know me far
         More grieved than you.

From Sword Blades and Poppy Seeds By Amy Lowell

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This collection assembled by Jone Johnson Lewis.
Collection © 1999-2002 Jone Johnson Lewis.

Citing poems from these pages:

Author. "Poem Title."  Women's History: Poems by Women. Jone Johnson Lewis, editor. URL: (date of logon)

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