William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. (1878–1962). Anthology of Massachusetts Poets. 1922.

Marriage

YOU, who have given me your name,

And with your laws have made me wife,

To share your failures and your fame,

Whose word has made me yours for life.

What proof have you that you hold me?

That in reality I’m one

With you, through all eternity?

What proof when all is said and done?

In spite of all the laws you’ve made,

I’m free. I am no part of you.

But wait—the last word is not said;

You’re mine, for I’m myself and you.

All through my veins there flows your blood,

In you there is no part of me.

By virtue of my motherhood

Through me you live eternally.