A Poem For Sunday

“Emily writes such a good letter” by Stevie Smith:

Mabel was married last week

So now only Tom left

The doctor didn’t like Arthur’s cough

I have been in bed since Easter

A touch of the old trouble

I am downstairs today

As I write this

I can hear Arthur roaming overhead

He loves to roam

Thank heavens he has plenty of space to roam in

We have seven bedrooms

And an annexe

Which leaves a flat for the chauffeur and his wife

We have much to be thankful for

The new vicar came yesterday

People say he brings a breath of fresh air

He leaves me cold

I do not think he is a gentleman

Yes, I remember Maurice very well

Fancy getting married at his age

She must be a fool

You knew May had moved?

Since Edward died she has been much alone

It was cancer

No, I know nothing of Maud

I never wish to hear her name again

In my opinion Maud

Is an evil woman

Our char has left

And a good riddance too

Wages are very high in Tonbridge

Write and tell me how you are, dear,

And the girls,

Phoebe and Rose

They must be a great comfort to you

Phoebe and Rose.

(From Best Poems: Stevie Smith © Stevie Smith 1937, 1972 and © New Direction Publishing Corporation 1988, 2014. Reprinted with kind permission of New Directions. Photo by Sandra Kharazashvili)