Stevie Smith, born Florence Margaret Smith in Kingston upon Hull
, was the second daughter of Ethel and Charles Smith.(Couzyn, Jeni 1985) Contemporary Women Poets. Bloodaxe, p32 She was called "Peggy" within her family, but acquired the name 'Stevie' as a young woman when she was riding in the park with a friend who said that she reminded him of the jockey, Steve Donaghue.
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always(Still the dead one lay moaning)I was much too far out all my lifeAnd not waving but drowning.
I wish I was more cheerful, it is more pleasant,Also it is a duty, we should smile as well as submittingTo the purpose of One Above who is experimentingWith various mixtures of human character which goes best,All is interesting for him it is exciting, but not for us.There I go again. Smile, smile, and get some work to doThen you will be practically unconscious without positively having to go.
Was he married, did he tryTo support as he grew less fond of themWife and family?
He did not love in the human way.
To choose a god of love, as he did and does,Is a little move then?Yes, it is.A larger one will be when menLove love and hate hate but do not deify them?It will be a larger one.
The religion of ChristianityIs mixed of sweetness and crueltyReject this Sweetness, for she wearsA smoky dress out of hell fires.
I made Man with too many faults. Yet I love him.And if he wishes, I have a home above for him.
All the same, there is a difficulty. I should like him to be happy in heaven here,But he cannot come by wishing. Only by being already at home here.
Who is this that comes in grandeur, coming from the blazing East?This is he we had not thought of, this is he the airy Christ.
No man has seen her, this pitiful ghost,And no woman either, but heard her at most,Sighing and tapping and sighing again,You have weaned me too soon, you must nurse me again.