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Stevie Smith

The English poet and novelist Smith was born in Hull, Yorkshire on September 20, 1902. At first unnoticed as a poet, she worked in a London publisher's office until 1953. Steadily gaining respect, Smith won the

Not Waving but Drowning

by Stevie Smith (1902–71)

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Nobody heard him, the dead man,

But still he lay moaning:

I was much further out than you thought

And not waving but drowning.

Poor chap, he always loved larking

And now he's dead

It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,

They said.

Oh, no no no, it was too cold always

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