Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE INNOVATOR, by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I said, 'why should a pyramid Last Line: But -- lord, how usual! Subject(s): Architecture & Architects | ||||||||
(A Pharaoh Speaks) I said, "Why should a pyramid Stand always dully on its base? I'll change it! Let the top be hid, The bottom take the apex-place!" And as I bade they did. The people flocked in, scores on scores, To see it balance on its tip. They praised me with the praise that bores, My godlike mind on every lip. -- Until it fell, of course. And then they took my body out From my crushed palace, mad with rage, -- Well, half the town WAS wrecked, no doubt -- Their crazy anger to assuage By dragging it about. The end? Foul birds defile my skull. The new king's praises fill the land. He clings to precept, simple, dull; HIS pyramids on bases stand. But -- Lord, how usual! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LO, WHERE HAUSSMANN COMES, SEE WHERE HE COMES by KENNETH KOCH HOMAGE TO P. MELLON, I.M. PEI, THEIR GALLERY AND WASHINGTON by WILLIAM MEREDITH THE CHICAGO POEM; FOR TED BERRIGAN AND ALICE NOTLEY by JEROME ROTHENBERG ESSAY: NOAH & THE WASHING MACHINE by ELENI SIKELIANOS ARCHITECTURE by WALLACE STEVENS GRAND ARMY PLAZA by KAREN SWENSON THE ARCHITECT (1) by KAREN SWENSON THE ARCHITECT (2) by KAREN SWENSON A MINOR POET by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET ARCHIMEDES LAST FORAY by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET CAMPUS SONNET: BEFORE AN EXAMINATION by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET |
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