This practice was common in older poems, particularly those passed down through oral tradition before the advent of widespread literacy and printing.
Here are some reasons why a poem might be labeled "anon":
* Lost authorship: The original author's name may have been lost over time due to the poem's age or transmission through multiple copies.
* Folklore: Poems passed down through oral traditions often had no fixed authorship, being attributed to the collective wisdom of the people.
* Humility: Some authors might choose anonymity to avoid personal recognition or to emphasize the message of the poem over their own identity.
* Political reasons: Authors in oppressive regimes or during times of censorship might choose to remain anonymous to avoid repercussions.
Therefore, when you see "anon" at the end of a poem, it signifies that the author's identity remains a mystery.