Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RICHES, by DERRICK NORMAN LEHMER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RICHES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My violin was in cremona wrought
Last Line: I'll buy another bow—of john-a-dreams.
Subject(s): Violins


My violin was in Cremona wrought.
Amati made it; all his artistry
They said, was in its shell; all Italy
Was in its golden tone. Its voice had caught,
It seems, some glint of fire, some hidden glow
From masters who had played it long ago.

I bought it; paid for it; my check is good
For many times the princely sum I paid.
With diamonds I had it thick inlaid,
And jewels took the place of common wood;
With gold and platinum. But all things failed:
It would not sing for me—it only wailed.

I sent for John-a-Dreams; he drew his bow,
With a strange wry smile across the melting string;
And at his touch there came a song of spring
Breaking through prison walls of ice and snow.
The instrument is not half bad, it seems;
I'll buy another bow—of John-a-Dreams.





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