THE WOMAN'S WORLD.

Oh! to be alone!

To escape from the work, the play,

The talking, everyday;

To escape from all I have done,

And all that remains to do.

To escape, yes, even from you,

My only love, and be

Alone, and free.

Could I only stand

Between gray moor and gray sky

Where the winds and the plovers cry,

And no man is at hand.

And feel the free wind blow

On my rain-wet face, and know

I am free — not yours — but my own.

Free — and alone!

For the soft fire-light

And the home of your heart, my dear,

They hurt — being always here.

I want to stand up — upright

And to cool my eyes in the air

And to see how my back can bear

Burdens — to try, to know,

To learn, to grow!

I am only you!

I am yours — part of you — your wife!

And I have no other life.

I cannot think, cannot do,

I cannot breathe, cannot see;

There is “us,” but there is not “me” —

And worst, at your kiss, I grow

Contented so.