To My Laundress by Ambrose Bierce
"To My Laundress" is a short poem written by Ambrose Bierce in 1896. The poem is a humorous and lighthearted tribute to a laundress, who is described as a "sweet and gentle dame" with a "face like the dawn." The speaker of the poem expresses his gratitude for her hard work and dedication, acknowledging that she has made him feel "like a gentleman" despite his lack of cleanliness. The poem ends with the speaker wishing her well and expressing his hope that she will continue to serve him in the future.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1896 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Humor · 165 words
First lines
Saponacea, wert thou not so fair I'd curse thee for thy multitude of sins -- For sending home my clothes all full of pins -- A shirt occasionally that's a snare And a delusion, got, the Lord knows where, The Lord knows why -- a sock whose outs and ins None know, nor where it ends nor where begins, And fewer cuffs than ought to be my share.
But when I mark thy lilies how they grow, And the red roses of thy ripening charms, I bless the lovelight in thy dark eyes dreaming.
I'll never pay thee, but I'd gladly go Into the magic circle of thine arms, Supple and fragrant from repeated steaming.
What this Textopian page supports
To My Laundress is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Short Stories, Humor
- Length: 165 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To My Laundress by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering To My Laundress?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- An Invocation by Ambrose Bierce
- Charles And Peter by Ambrose Bierce
- The Division Superintendent by Ambrose Bierce
- Reminded by Ambrose Bierce
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Genres
- Satire — Given Ambrose Bierce's reputation as a satirist and the ironic humor suggested by the title, this book is most likely a satire.
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce was known for his short stories, so this book could be a collection of them.
- Humor — The title suggests a light-hearted, humorous tone, making the humor genre relevant.
Tags
gothic · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · fiction · short story · literary fiction · american literature · classic · victorian era · ghost story