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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HUMAN FLIES, by KATHARINE ADAMS
First Line: Because there was a thing to advertise
Last Line: And all our earth is black with fallen flies.
Subject(s): Flies
First Line: Because there was a thing to advertise
Last Line: And all our earth is black with fallen flies.
Subject(s): Flies
Because there was a thing to advertise --
Crown, clown or creed, a theory or a phrase:
"God and the king!" "Vox populi?" -- the cries,
The instant's gaping awe, the drifting praise
Swept the poor insects from their lowly ways
Up the sheer walls of war; the howling skies
Clawed at them while they clung their moment; rays
Of wintry glory mocked their dying eyes.
Still for the greed of princes, craze of mobs,
Death, tawdry showman, keeps street holiday.
Still float his pennons black and red -- still rise
The cliffs of madness o'er the grave that robs
His doomed performers of their pitiful pay. . . .
And all our earth is black with fallen flies.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
THE FLY, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE
THE BLUE-FLY by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES