Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, STAR-TALK, by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STAR-TALK, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Are you awake, gemelli
Last Line: "and the pump has frozen to-night."
Subject(s): Stars


"ARE you awake, Gemelli,
This frosty night?"
"We'll be awake till réveillé,
Which is sunrise," say the Gemelli,
"It's no good trying to go to sleep:
"It's no good trying to go to sleep:
If there's wine to be got we'll drink it deep,
But rest is hopeless to-night,
But rest is hopeless to-night."

"Are you cold too, poor Pleiads,
This frosty night?"
"Yes, and so are the Hyads:
See us cuddle and hug," say the Pleiads,
"All six in a ring: it keeps us warm:
We huddle together like birds in a storm:
It's bitter weather to-night,
It's bitter weather to-night."

"What do you hunt, Orion,
This starry night?"
"The Ram, the Bull, and the Lion,
And the Great Bear," says Orion,
"With my starry quiver and beautiful belt,
I am trying to find a good thick pelt
To warm my shoulders to-night,
To warm my shoulders to-night."

"Did you hear that, Great She-Bear,
This frosty night?"
"Yes, he's talking of stripping me bare
Of my own big fur," says the She-Bear,
"I'm afraid of the man and his terrible arrow:
The thought of it chills my bones to the marrow,
And the frost so cruel to-night!
And the frost so cruel to-night!"

"How is your trade, Aquarius,
This frosty night?"
"Complaints is many and various,
And my feet are cold," says Aquarius,
"There's Venus objects to Dolphin-scales,
And Mars to Crab-spawn found in my pails,
And the pump has frozen to-night,
And the pump has frozen to-night."




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