Notes About The Poem
Poem 59
From the anthology, Voices from Mt. Olive Cemetery, a work in progress.
Lena Lane 1894-1912
Lena Lane
1894-1912
Dying at 18 was my punishment from God.
“Bless me Heavenly Father, for I have sinned.”
Johnny Barrow found the silk ribbon,
The only man man enough to look for it;
For I did not resist his insistent male charms,
That day in Turnbull, that rich awkward moment in time,
When two decided heartbeats and one determined hand,
Found the scented red ribbon,
Concealed most discretely upon my airy bosom.
Shame and sin indeed found us receptive that day;
He and me, staring awestruck at blue sky and white skin;
But I am fine with this legacy of private meetings,
And alas, private audacious touchings;
If only kindly Estella knew, poor sick soul;
Johnny really loved her; all the stars above admit that.
But Johnny wanted me, desired me with wanton civility,
Wanted me for the grand games we played in secret,
Touching games, grand groping games,
In the hidden lacey canyons of Turnbull.
If only kindly Estella knew, that poor homely thing;
Poor sick and disheveled girl!
Over there in your shriveled grave!
I took your boy, Estella!
I took brown-eyed Johnny Barrow,
And branded him with my fiery mark!
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