A Visit to the Asylum

by Edna St. Vincent Millay — a poem card from Justes Mots

Millay recounts a childhood visit to an asylum, where the patients, despite their confinement, treat a small red-haired girl with gentleness and affection. The poem's tender simplicity juxtaposes institutional setting with human warmth, suggesting dignity and kindness persists even behind latticed windows. It resonates with memories of unexpected connection and challenges stereotypes about psychiatric patients.

Once from a big, big building,
When I was small, small,
The queer folk in the windows
Would smile at me and call.
And in the hard wee gardens
Such pleasant men would hoe:
"Sir, may we touch the little girl's hair?"--
It was so red, you know.…

Themes: love · new-baby · wedding · friendship