And I burned with shame and held my peace.

And what could I do, all covered over

And weighted down with western soil,

Except aspire, and pray for another

Birth in the world, with all of Spoon River

Rooted out of my soul?

FATHER MALLOY

You are over there, Father Malloy,

Where holy ground is, and the cross marks every grave,

Not here with us on the hill—