Ella Wheeler Wilcox,
Poems of Optimism — Separation
(1919)
“ Leagues, leagues apart while ever side by side. Darker and darker grew the loveless weather, Darker the way, Until we could not stay Longer together. Now that all anger from our hearts has died, And love has flown far from its ruined nest, To find sweet shelter in another breast, Let us talk calmly of our past mistakes, And of our faults; if only for the sakes Of those with whom our futures will be cast. You shall speak first. SHE A woman would speak last - Tell me my first grave error as a wife. HE Inertia. My young veins were rife With manhood’s ardent blood ”
