Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A WIFE'S LAMENT, by MACKINLAY KANTOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A WIFE'S LAMENT, by                    
First Line: Behind his sharpened axle swords
Last Line: Here on the marble seat.
Subject(s): Lament; War


Behind his sharpened axle swords,
His hard, lean lions run
Into the desert where he drives --
Into the smoky sun.

His are reins of leathery gold
And girdle of hottest red,
Helmet of carven silver weights
Dull on his dusky head;

And slaves are crouching in the court
And concubines are sad . . . .
The palms which fan the cooling pool
Scatter the scent they had.

Lions are yellow anger burned
Into a loving heart;
Spears of the keenest, biting steel
Tear the fair flesh apart.

Yet he has driven to the wars,
Swift be his horses' feet!
I pick a thousand buds to waste,
Here on the marble seat.





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