The Idiot Girl

After 'The Idiot Boy', by William Wordsworth 1798 

A poem about Jane Shorney, murdered by John Walford, described by Tom Poole as 'dirty' and an 'idiot'. 


Jane Shorney, Jenny
Wanders the lanes
Like care isn't a thing in her world, 
Her world, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Watches the floors
Shy are her eyes to the menfolk, 
The menfolk, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Whistles arouse her
Bosoms heaving 'neath her disheveledness, 
Her dress, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Withchild, a-first with John and then his brother,
Invisible to the father, paid off by his Mother, 
His Mother, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Withchild, a-third with John, 
Married off for want of love, no money, 
His money, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Wailing banshee is she, 
According to he, who has eyes for another, 
His other, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Walks Watery Lane, 
Carrying a coin for cider, at the Castle, no Comfort, 
Her comfort, simple -
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Wounded, bludgeoned lies lifeless
Throat slit amidst daisies; loves me, loves me not. Dead. 
Dead, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Worthy of record, yet labelled an 'idiot', 
John held aloft (an example to all men), 
All men, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Withstanding centuries, tragedy, 
John's gibbet ranking higher than her unmarked grave, 
Her grave, simple - 
By today's standards. 

Jane Shorney, Jenny
Witness dear soul, hear our change, 
'Differently abled', an 'idiot' no more, 
NO MORE 'simple' - 
By today's standards. 



A Wensley 
3.07.2023