Public-domain source text

Portrait of a Woman in Bed

by William Carlos Williams

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/william-carlos-williams_poetry

There’s my things drying in the corner: that blue skirt joined to the grey shirt⁠—
I’m sick of trouble! Lift the covers if you want me and you’ll see the rest of my clothes⁠— though it would be cold lying with nothing on!
I won’t work and I’ve got no cash. What are you going to do about it? —and no jewelry (the crazy fools)
But I’ve my two eyes and a smooth face and here’s this! look! it’s high! There’s brains and blood in there⁠— my name’s Robitza! Corsets can go to the devil⁠— and drawers along with them! What do I care!
My two boys? —they’re keen! Let the rich lady care for them⁠— they’ll beat the school or let them go to the gutter⁠— that ends trouble.
This house is empty isn’t it? Then it’s mine because I need it.
Oh, I won’t starve while there’s the Bible to make them feed me.
Try to help me if you want trouble or leave me alone⁠— that ends trouble.
The county physician is a damned fool and you can go to hell!
You could have closed the door when you came in; do it when you go out. I’m tired.

Source record

This is a source transcription from Standard Ebooks, published in Past Poetry’s public-domain archive without line-by-line editorial notes. Public-domain source edition. Availability can vary by territory.

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