Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, INSCRIPTION FOR A GRAVE, by ELMER GUSTAFSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

INSCRIPTION FOR A GRAVE, by                    
First Line: All is enclosed here: the winds of time
Last Line: Place of healing for sore bruises, surgery for ancient scars.
Subject(s): Graves; Tombs; Tombstones


All is enclosed here: the winds of time
Shall not ruffle the gray serenity of this
Last housing. What the intimate bitter world
Once dallied with is in impervious garments
Wrapped, regarding with calm, sightless eyes
All jeers and seeking smiles, brooding and carousing.
No luring lips nor gesturing of women
Shall move to any answer this mouth finally
Set in repulse of all life gives and love implies.
No pleading voice nor street corner's urgent drum
Could summon now to desire for Abraham's bosom,
Nor ringing bugle to passionate empty wars
This which long since put off accustomed shivering
For a new warmth received with eager thankfulness;
An enclosure that shuts out, keeps in, protects --
Place of healing for sore bruises, surgery for ancient scars.





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