407. Teresina's Face by Margaret Widdemer. Monroe, Harriet, ed. 1917. The New Poetry: An Anthology

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.

407. Teresina’s Face

By Margaret Widdemer


HE saw it last of all before they herded in the steerage,
Dark against the sunset where he lingered by the hold,
The tear-stained dusk-rose face of her, the little Teresina,
Sailing out to lands of gold:

Ah, the days were long, long days, still toiling in the vineyard,	5
Working for the coins that set him free to go to her,
Where gay it glowed, the flower face of little Teresina,
Where the joy and riches were:

Hard to find one rose-face where the dark rose-faces cluster,
Where the outland laws are strange and outland voices hum,	10
(Only one lad’s hoping, and the word of Teresina,
Who would wait for him to come!) . . . . . .

God grant he may not find her, since he might not win her freedom,
Nor yet be great enough to love, in such marred, captive wise,
The patient, painted face of her, the little Teresina,	15
With its cowed, all-knowing eyes!