Poe's Dead Girls

I saw thee on thy bridal day—
Can't you see?
And in thine eye a kindling light
(whatever it might be)
That blush, perhaps, was maiden shame
You'd never comprehend
Take those living women
They have never shown me any kindness of any kind
Dead girls like me
Sad as it seems

I have been in this line of work for a long time
Perhaps it may be that my mind is wrought
I don't expect you to understand me
Death was in that poisonous wave
Yet that terror was not fright
I never can do it justice
There's no pain and there's no pressure
no humiliation
Only dead girls like me
Sad as it seems


Cool and smooth have you ever been accepted unconditionally?
I dwelt alone
And my soul was a stagnant tide
I feel it more than half a crime
Have you ever loved someone who didn't hurt you, didn't harm you?
Now, in my bed
To sleep on her breast--
Down under ground
Only dead girls like me
That it is and nothing more