The Wife-Woman by Anne Spencer

The Celebration of National Poetry Month continues with this poem by Anne Bethel Spencer. Anne Spencer, an active participant in the New Negro Movement and Harlem Renaissance was born in Virginia in 1882. According to Wikipedia, Anne was the first Virginian and first African-American to have her poetry included in the Norton Anthology of American Poetry. Until her death in 1975, she lived and wrote in Virginia.

The Wife-Woman

by Anne Spencer

Maker-of-Sevens in the scheme of things

From earth to star;

Thy cycle holds whatever is fate, and

Over the border the bar.

Though rank and fierce the mariner

Sailing the seven seas,

He prays as he holds his glass to his eyes,

Coaxing the Pleiades.

I cannot love them; and I feel your glad,

Chiding from the grave,

That my all was only worth at all, what

Joy to you it gave,

These seven links the Law compelled

For the human chain--

I cannot love them; and you, oh,

Seven-fold months in Flanders slain!

A jungle there, a cave here, bred six

And a million years.

Sure and strong, mate for mate, such

Love as culture fears;

I gave you clear the oil and wine;

You saved me your hob and hearth--  

See how even life may be ere the

Sickle comes and leaves a swath.

But I can wait the seven of moons,

Or years I spare,

Hoarding the heart's plenty, nor spend

A drop, nor share--

So long but outlives a smile and

A silken gown;

Then gaily I reach up from my shroud,

And you, glory-clad, reach down.