'Helping the truth erupt'

 

“Iwas not out to paint beautiful pictures; even painting good pictures was notimportant to me. I wanted only to help the truth burst forth.” – AliceDuer Miller 

 

Bornon Staten Island in 1874, Duer Miller’s poetry actively influenced politicalopinion. Her feminist verses impacted the suffrage issue and her million-sellingverse-play The White Cliffs about an American girl coming toLondon encouraged U.S. entry into World War II.   She also wrotemany successful novels, short stories and screenplays and was on the very firstadvisory board for The New Yorker.  For Saturday’s poem, here is Duer Miller’s,

 

                               To An OldLady In A Train

 

                                 Her hair was beautifully white
                                 Beneath her bonnet, black as night,
                                Which, plainly of New England kin,
                                Was tied with strings beneath her chin.
                                And when she spoke I had no choice
                                But listened to that soft crisp voice;
                                And when she smiled, I saw the truth,
                                She had been lovely in her youth,
                                And with those quick, observing eyes,
                                Was charming still to all the wise.
                                And still, in spite of bonnet strings,
                                She thought keen, quaint, amusing things,
                                With gaiety that many hold
                                Remarkable in one so old.

                                We talked ten minutes in a train,
                                And when we came to part again,
                                ‘Good-bye, enjoy yourself,’ said she.
                                 I told her that ahead of me
                                No pleasure beckoned, no, I said,
                                Stern duty only lay ahead!
                               ‘Oh, well,’ her parting answer ran,
                               ‘Enjoy yourself the best you can.’
                               And so unconquerably gay,
                               She went upon her darkening way.