Leonora Speyer. Duet. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22.

Duet

By Leonora Speyer


From “Reflections” (I sing with myself) OUT of my sorrow
I’ll build a stair,
And every tomorrow
Will climb to me there;
With ashes of yesterday	5
In its hair.

My fortune is made
Of a stab in the side,
My debts are paid
In pennies of pride:	10
Little red coins
In a heart I hide.

The stones that I eat
Are ripe for my needs;
My cup is complete	15
With the dregs of deeds.
Clear are the notes
Of my broken reeds.

I carry my pack
Of aches and stings,	20
Light with the lack
Of all good things;
But not on my back,
Because of my wings!