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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DOUBLE STANDARD, by INA DRAPER DEFOE First Line: She lived below the tracks in squalor's clutch Last Line: The town should worship him and pass her by. | |||
She lived below the tracks in squalor's clutch While sheltered women lifted haughty chins. Magnolia petal, tarnished by a touch, Was like her face, defeated by her sins. For she was one whose scarlet candle light Betrayed the beast in those who came her way, And men were baubles on her chain at night Who walked the paths of righteousness by day. A man lived in a mansion on the hill, He ruled our little town and rules it still. Yet where the woods had formed a sheltered glade He met and quenched his passion with this maid. I wondered then and still am wondering why The town should worship him and pass her by. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRAYER FOR A GIRL NO LONGER YOUNG by INA DRAPER DEFOE RETURN TO EARTH by INA DRAPER DEFOE SONG OF THE HOP FIELDS by INA DRAPER DEFOE THE BROWN PEOPLE HEAR WINTER COMING by INA DRAPER DEFOE VOICES OF THE AIR by KATHERINE MANSFIELD NOT BY THE SEA by SARA TEASDALE ON AN INTAGLIO HEAD OF MINERVA (1) by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A MOTHER TO HER WAKING INFANT by JOANNA BAILLIE THE PETRIFIED FERN by MARY LYDIA BOLLES BRANCH THE PRAIRIES by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT |
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