| J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921. | | | | In Progress | | By Christina Rossetti (1830–1894) |
| | | TEN years ago it seemed impossible | |
| That she should ever grow so calm as this, | |
| With self-remembrance in her warmest kiss | |
| And dim dried eyes like an exhausted well. | |
| Slow-speaking when she has some fact to tell, | 5 |
| Silent with long-unbroken silences, | |
| Centred in self yet not unpleased to please, | |
| Gravely monotonous like a passing bell. | |
| Mindful of drudging daily common things, | |
| Patient at pastime, patient at her work, | 10 |
| Wearing perhaps but strenuous certainly. | |
| Sometimes I fancy we may one day see | |
| Her head shoot forth seven stars from where they lurk, | |
| And her eyes lightnings and her shoulders wings. | | | | |
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