I, born in Weimar <br />Of a mother who was French <br />And German father, a most learned professor, <br />Orphaned at fourteen years, <br />Became a dancer, known as Russian Sonia, <br />All up and down the boulevards of Paris, <br />Mistress betimes of sundry dukes and counts, <br />And later of poor artists and of poets. <br />At forty years, passée, I sought New York <br />And met old Patrick Hummer on the boat, <br />Red-faced and hale, though turned his sixtieth year, <br />Returning after having sold a ship-load <br />Of cattle in the German city, Hamburg. <br />He brought me to Spoon River and we lived here <br />For twenty years -- they thought that we were married! <br />This oak tree near me is the favorite haunt <br />Of blue jays chattering, chattering all the day. <br />And why not? for my very dust is laughing <br />For thinking of the humorous thing called life.<br /><br />Edgar Lee Masters<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/russian-sonia/
