Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VILLAGE LIGHTS, by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VILLAGE LIGHTS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: These dim-lamped cabins leaning upon the gulf of oceanic night
Last Line: Ten times as wise, ten thousand fools.
Alternate Author Name(s): Blunden, Edmund


THESE dim-lamped cabins leaning upon the gulf of oceanic night
Whose gorge is hoarse with storm, whose surge with a scornful whistling washes over,
Would seem the craziest cockle-shells, if the meteor gave us a moment's sight,
And still unhaunted on this phantasmal abyss with life and love they hover.
How now, bold mariners? what fixed star
So certifies you where you are?
From what magnetic surety grows
This unimaginable repose?
Who with his sea-hat over his eyes
Defends your keels from the fanged surprise,
And while your banjos and feet are playing
Knows each secret the deeps are saying?
Kiss then, strum then, heap the coals,
With flowery cordials brim the bowls --
Since none could ever command this dark
Who stared his eyes out like a shark:
This we in the whirls, shrill goblins, know,
Awash in fathomless dream's reflow;
We mapped, logged, watched, thumbed all the rules,
Ten times as wise, ten thousand fools.





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