Edgar Lee Masters
1868-1950"Tennessee Claflin Shope" (From "Spoon River Anthology" – 1915)
I was the laughing-stock of the village,
Chiefly of the people of good sense, as they call themselves –
Also of the learned, like Rev. Peet, who read Greek
The same as English.
For instead of talking free trade,
Or preaching some form of baptism;
Instead of believing in the efficacy
Of walking cracks – picking up pins the right way,
Seeing the new moon over the right shoulder,
Or curing rheumatism with blue glass,
I asserted the sovereignty of my own soul.
Before Mary Baker G. Eddy even got started
With what she called science
I had mastered the "Bhagavad Gita,"
And cured my soul, before Mary
Began to cure bodies with souls –
Peace to all worlds!
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