Ada Dwyer Russell, circa 1916.

In "The Taxi," Lowell conveys a strong sense of her separation and pain. Collected in Sword Blades and Poppy Seed (published in September of 1914), "Taxi" serves as an excellent example of Amy Lowell's "polyphonic prose," in which she experimented with different "rhythmic units."

Ada Dwyer Russell, who is almost certainly the subject of many of Lowell's poems, is shown on stage in the play, Merely Mary Ann.

The Taxi When I go away from you The world beats dead Like a slackened drum. I call out for you against the jutted stars And shout into the ridges of the wind. Streets coming fast, One after the other, Wedge you away from me, And the lamps of the city prick my eyes So that I can no longer see your face. Why should I leave you, To wound myself upon the sharp edges of the night?   Back to index