Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A WIFE by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON

First Line: I STRETCH OUT BOTH MY HANDS TO YOU
Last Line: FOR ALL THEIR WISTFUL PRAYER TO YOU!
Subject(s): HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYEES; MARRIAGE; SEXISM; SLAVERY; WOMEN; SERVANTS; DOMESTICS; MAIDS; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES; SERFS;

I STRETCH out both my hands to you --
It pleased you once to call them fair;
Look now and see if anywhere
Are hands more scarred and worn than these
That lost their fairness serving you.

I lift up my two eyes to you --
It pleased you once to call them sweet;
Judge now if any eyes repeat
Their lack of light -- poor eyes that wept
Their sweetness out in guarding you.

O hands and eyes once dear to you,
I would not they had served you less,
Yet hands like these who might caress,
Nor eyes like these win love again
For all their wistful prayer to you!



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