Aline Kilmer. Ignis Fatuus. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22.

Ignis Fatuus

By Aline Kilmer


From “Novelette” “YOUR fires are false, they tell me. So?—
I knew it long and long ago.

“But I choose false ones for my play—
They are the safer any day.

“And if I burn my hands a bit,	5
Why, who will ever know of it?”

All this I said when I was proud—
Under my breath, almost aloud.

Then I plunged boldly in and played:
By my own fires I am betrayed.	10