Page 84 - Poetry-Romance
P. 84
A Graduating Essay
Dear Friends! My essay is to-night
On Woman’s Future Sphere—
(I wonder how I look in white;
My sash feels rather queer).
Of late years only woman threw
Her shackles off and rose—
(Oh, dear! I never had a shoe
So pinch and hurt my toes).
No longer slave to selfish man
She will new heights explore—
(Suppose they recognize my fan
I borrowed from next door).
Her brain, once dulled, is active now;
Her tongue, once stilled, can speak—
(Before the glass I learned my bow;
It took me just one week).
Armed with her knowledge and its strength
She will the world o’ercome—
(My gloves have quite a stylish length,
One’s bursted at the thumb).
Man will, yes, must acknowledge that
We women lead in all—
(I’m thinking if a bigger hat
Will be the thing next fall).
Dear Friends, Adieu! Our future sphere
I know will be immense—
(Just look at my bouquets—I fear
Pa’ll growl at the expense).
— H.C. Dodge (from a Victorian Scrap Album)
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