Classic Poem

There was an earthquake in my heart, and I
Have been what I have been,
Now there's the long street and the bitter sky
Crying " Unclean! Unclean! "

But you're more swine — you — you who have withstood, —
So smug, so self-sufficed!
Oh, there's a thing called " frenzy " in my blood;
Snarls at your frock-coat Christ!

" Seduction, " " the starvation wage " ? Not me!
I seemed to flower in flame.
And so my " soul is lost eternally, "
You say. You " view my shame. "

Oh, can that guff! If I'm no startled hare,
I'm caught. I know your traps.
I took my chance. You've got me in the snare,
Society — perhaps!

Call me " poor girl, " and psalm-sing through your nose
The harlot she gets hers.
Think I should fawn on God then, I suppose,
You whited sepulchres.

Some poet will even put me in a song
And sell it, just to live.
People buy books to read why I " go wrong. "
I gave, and I forgive.