Why I’m Leaving Maplecroft

by Mary Elizabeth Naugle

First published in June/July, 2004, Volume 1, Issue 3, The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies.

They say I’m leaving Maplecroft
Because of Nance O’Neil.
They say her ways are shocking,
And now showfolk are flocking
To infect Fall River with their wanton zeal.

They say I’m leaving Maplecroft
Because of the chauffeur.
How frank familiarity
Was verging on vulgarity
That Lizzie valued though it cheapened her.

They say I’m leaving Maplecroft
Because I am afraid
She really did do murder
And might think one more won’t hurt her
If  I should ever rain on her parade.

But this talk is nothing new.
They have nothing else to do
But to chew on borrowed scandal as if ‘twere mutton stew.

They said when Lizzie walked back into church so brazenly
That the petticoats shrank back from her, a frothy new Red Sea.

They said, “That social climber’s going to scale the Highlands Hill
After viewing the White City from that wheel that makes you ill!”

They say she leads a hard life, conscience stricken and alone.
As if she has no sister there–that sister makes no moan.
Em makes poor publicity; she’s too dull for the press.
She never killed her parents, and she never burned a dress.

I’m not leaving for the things that people  say,
Believe you me.
I’m leaving just because those things are never about me.