(For G. H.) <br /> <br />Say, does that stupid earth <br />Where they have laid her, <br />Bind still her sullen mirth, <br />Mirth which betrayed her? <br />Do the lush grasses hold, <br />Greenly and glad, <br />That brittle-perfect gold <br />She alone had? <br /> <br />Smugly the common crew, <br />Over their knitting, <br />Mourn her - as butchers do <br />Sheep-throats they're slitting! <br />She was my enemy, <br />One of the best of them. <br />Would she come back to me, <br />God damn the rest of them! <br /> <br />Damn them, the flabby, fat, <br />Sleek little darlings! <br />We gave them tit for tat, <br />Snarlings for snarlings! <br />Squashy pomposities, <br />Shocked at our violence, <br />Let not one tactful hiss <br />Break her new silence! <br /> <br />Maids of antiquity, <br />Look well upon her; <br />Ice was her chastity, <br />Spotless her honor. <br />Neighbors, with breasts of snow, <br />Dames of much virtue, <br />How she could flame and glow! <br />Lord, how she hurt you! <br /> <br />She was a woman, and <br />Tender - at times! <br />(Delicate was her hand) <br />One of her crimes! <br />Hair that strayed elfinly, <br />Lips red as haws, <br />You, with the ready lie, <br />Was that the cause? <br /> <br />Rest you, my enemy, <br />Slain without fault, <br />Life smacks but tastelessly <br />Lacking your salt! <br />Stuck in a bog whence naught <br />May catapult me, <br />Come from the grave, long-sought, <br />Come and insult me! <br /> <br />WE knew that sugared stuff <br />Poisoned the other; <br />Rough as the wind is rough, <br />Sister and brother! <br />Breathing the ether clear <br />Others forlorn have found - <br />Oh, for that peace austere <br />She and her scorn have found!<br /><br />Stephen Vincent Benet<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/elegy-for-an-enemy-2/
