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May Sarton

Eleanore Marie Sarton, whose name was Anglicized to Eleanor May, was born on May 3rd, 1912, in Wondelgem, Belgium, the only child of philosopher and science historian George Sarton, and Mabel Elwes Sarton, a furniture and

Fruit of Loneliness

by May Sarton (1912–95)

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16

 Now for a little I have fed on loneliness 
 As on some strange fruit from a frost-touched vine— 
 Persimmon in its yellow comeliness, 
 Or pomegranate-juice color of wine, 
 The pucker-mouth crab apple, or late plum— 
 On fruit of loneliness have I been fed. 
 But now after short absence I am come 
 Back from felicity to the wine and bread. 
 For, being mortal, this luxurious heart 

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