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Edna St. Vincent Millay - The Penitent

I had a little Sorrow,
Born of a little Sin,
I found a room all damp with gloom
And shut us all within;
And, "Little Sorrow, weep," said I,
"And, Little Sin, pray God to die,
And I upon the floor will lie
And think how bad I've been!"

Alas for pious planning - -
It mattered not a whit!
As far as gloom went in that room,
The lamp might have been lit!
My little Sorrow would not weep,
My little Sin would go to sleep --
To save my soul I could not keep
My graceless mind on it!

So I got up in anger,
And took a book I had,
And put a ribbon on my my hair
To please a passing lad,
And, "One thing there's no getting by --
I've been a wicked girl," said I:
"But if I can't be sorry, why,
I might as well be glad!"

Added: Feb 3 2004 | Viewed: 1364 times | Comments and analysis of The Penitent by Edna St. Vincent Millay Comments (0)


The Penitent - Comments and Information

Poet: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Poem: 12. The Penitent
Volume: A Few Figs From Thistles
Year: Published/Written in 1921
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