| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1029. The Burden of Love |
| | | By Lucy White Jennison (“Owen Innsley”) |
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| I BEAR an unseen burden constantly; | |
| Waking or sleeping I can never thrust | |
| The load aside; through summer’s heat and dust | |
| And winter’s snows it still abides with me. | |
| I cannot let it fall, though I should be | 5 |
| Never so weary; carry it I must. | |
| Nor can the bands that bind it on me rust | |
| Or break, nor ever shall I be set free. | |
| Sometimes ’t is heavy as the weight that bore | |
| Atlas on giant shoulders; sometimes light | 10 |
| As the frail message of the carrier dove; | |
| But, light or heavy, shifting nevermore. | |
| What is it thus oppressing, day and night? | |
| The burden, dearest, of a mighty love. | |
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