Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay

The Shroud

Death, I say, my heart is bowed
   Unto thine,—O mother!
This red gown will make a shroud
   Good as any other!

(I, that would not wait to wear
   My own bridal things,
In a dress dark as my hair
   Made my answerings.

I, to-night, that till he came
   Could not, could not wait,
In a gown as bright as flame
   Held for them the gate. )

Death, I say, my heart is bowed
   Unto thine,—O mother!
This red gown will make a shroud
   Good as any other!

1. The Courage That My Mother Had
2. The Heart Once Broken Is a Heart No More
3. If to Be Left Were to Be Left Alone
4. Apostrophe to Man
5. Scrub

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