Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WASTE PLACES, by JAMES STEPHENS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WASTE PLACES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: As a naked man I go
Last Line: The lion out to lick my hand!
Variant Title(s): In Waste Places
Subject(s): Freedom; Liberty


As a naked man I go
Through the desert, sore afraid;
Holding high my head, although
I'm as frightened as a maid.

The lion crouches there! I saw
In barren rocks his amber eye!
He parts the cactus with his paw!
He stares at me, as I go by!

He would pad upon my trace
If he thought I was afraid!
If he knew my hardy face
Veils the terrors of a maid.

He rises in the night-time, and
He stretches forth! He snuffs the air!
He roars! He leaps along the sand!
He creeps! He watches everywhere!

His burning eyes, his eyes of bale
Through the darkness I can see!
He lashes fiercely with his tail!
He makes again to spring at me!

I am the lion, and his lair!
I am the fear that frightens me!
I am the desert of despair!
And the night of agony!

Night or day, whate'er befall,
I must walk that desert land,
Until I dare my fear, and call
The lion out to lick my hand!




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