de CLEYRE, Voltairine “Bastard Born”

literature: poetryDE CLEYRE, Voltairine (1866-1912)

At 24, Voltairine de Cleyre gave birth to a child, Harry, born on June 12, 1890. She refused to marry her boyfriend, James B. Elliot, who was Harry’s father, because she rejected marriage. This was very scandalous in those times. Her choice and that event probably inspired the following poem.

1891. Selected Works 36–41.

Why do you clothe me with scarlet of shame?
Why do you point with your finger of scorn?
What is the crime that you hissingly name
When you sneer in my ears, "Thou bastard born?"