IN MASKS OUTRAGEOUS AND AUSTERE

IN MASKS OUTRAGEOUS AND AUSTEREAmerican poet and novelist, Elinor Wylie was ‘famous during her life almost as much for her ethereal beauty and personality as for her melodious, sensuous poetry.’ I love this poem, Now Let No Charitable Hope, written in 1922 for its gravely mocking, but darkly playful mood. Love Susie. x


Now Let No Charitable Hope


Now let no charitable hope

Confuse my mind with images

Of eagle and of antelope:

I am by nature none of these.


I was, being human, born alone;

I am, being woman, hard beset;

I live by squeezing from a stone

What little nourishment I get.


In masks outrageous and austere

The years go by in single file;

But none has merited my fear,

And none has quite escaped my smile.