Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FIRST REFORMER, by NATHALIA CRANE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FIRST REFORMER, by                    
First Line: It was a primal twilight tense
Last Line: With accidental fame.


It was a primal twilight tense,
Heat swathed the steaming downs,
When suddenly a flower cried:
"Oh, let's take off our gowns."

No arrogance of modesty --
The time was all too hot;
The sap was pouring from the trees,
The pools began to clot.

A passionate poinsettia stripped
Herself of sarcenet green,
A lily shook her sindon off,
A rose her gabardine,

The honeysuckle cast her sheath,
Strove hard to hide a mole,
The poppy ripped her chemisette
And screamed: "I have a soul."

Across the downs a hummingbird
Came dipping through the bowers,
He pivoted on emptiness
To scrutinize the flowers.

But as he paused to clarify
Amazing visionings,
The perfumes drew him down unto
The loveliest of things.

Bewildered the poinsettia blushed
And grabbed a bit of grass,
The honeysuckle held her breath,
The poppy sighed, "Alas."

The roses called him renegade,
The lilies shut their eyes;
Down rushed that ruby-throated wretch --
A sultan from the skies.

He wooed the daunted odalisques,
He kissed each downcast nude,
He whispered that an angel's robe
Was merely attitude.

He sang of love's own liveries,
Of sunburn, tan and verve,
Of little Nordic freckles posed
To punctuate a curve.

He begged them not to gown again,
Caressed away their shame.
He was the first reformer crowned
With accidental fame.





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