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Poetry/poem identification

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Expert: Clare Washbrook - 9/17/2009


Question
Can you identify the poem, quoted by my mother over the years

"Oh why do you walk in the fields in gloves,
You fat white woman who nobody loves"  etc.

Who is it by and how does it continue?

Answer
Margaret,

This is a very short poem by Frances Cornford called "To a Fat Lady Seen From the Train.".  The full text is below.

I hope that helped,
CL Washbrook


To a Fat Lady Seen From the Train

O why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
    Missing so much and so much?
O fat white woman whom nobody loves,
Why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
When the grass is soft as the breast of doves
   And shivering sweet to the touch?
O why do you walk through the fields in gloves,
   Missing so much and so much?

   -- Frances Cornford

Poetry

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Clare Washbrook

Expertise

I can answer questions on English Poetry both classical and modern. I can identify British poems if you have a partial quote. I can deal with both the content and construction, as well as the historical and personal contexts. I do not offer complete analysis of entire poems. My expertise is limited to British writers and the odd noteworthy American; I cannot answer questions on foreign poetry or translations. I do not limit my responses to stock interpretations by regurgitating other writer's opinions. I will distinguish between accepted interpretation and personal analysis but I don't think text book recitation helps one to actually understand how to analyse poems oneself. I will reject homework questions, non-poetry English questions, anything written in text speak and anything to do with amateur poetry.

Experience


Organizations
The Poetry Society

Publications
The Radio Times, Books by Dogma, "SO" Magazine, NUS publications, Other Poetry, OED, Publications by PTS others

Education/Credentials
BA (HONS) Literature (Theatre minor), MA (current accreditation)

Awards and Honors
Bronze Award - International Poetry Awards 2004

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