[Editor: This poem by Louisa Lawson was published in “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems (1905).]
Give Me Only Peace.
Rank with all its dower,
Pomp with all its train,
Wealth with all its power,
Give I these again.
Race with all its story,
Place with all its ease,
Fame with all its glory,
Give I also these.
Ask I for them? Never!
Let their mem’ry cease.
Take them all for ever —
Leave me only peace.
Source:
Louisa Lawson, “The Lonely Crossing” and Other Poems, Sydney: Dawn Office, [1905], p. 95
Editor’s notes:
dower = a natural endowment or gift (in a legal context, a dower is that portion of a deceased man’s estate which was allocated to his widow by law)
mem’ry = (vernacular) memory
Louisa Lawson was a marvellous & insightful woman who must have been so strong and wise too.
Inspiring works !
Margaret