|
|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HUNDRED-YARD DASH, by WILLIAM LINDSEY First Line: Give me a race that is run in a breath Last Line: First, second, third, and the last. | |||
GIVE me a race that is run in a breath, Straight from the start to the "tape;" Distance hath charms, but a "Ding Dong" means death, Death without flowers and crape. "On your mark," "Set," -- for a moment we strain, Held by a leash all unseen; "P'ff," we are off, from the pistol we gain Yards, if the starter's not keen. Off like lean greyhounds, the cinders scarce stir Under the touch of our feet; Flashes of sunlight, the crowd's muffled purr, The rush of the wind, warm and sweet. One last fierce effort; the red worsted breaks, Struggle and strain are all past; Only ten ticks of the watch, but it makes First, second, third, and the last. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPICOENE; OR, THE SILENT WOMAN: FREEDOM IN DRESS by BEN JONSON ALMS by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE CAVALIER'S SONG by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL RECONCILIATION by WALT WHITMAN BODY AND SOUL by AWHAD AD-DIN 'ALI IBN VAHID MUHAMMAD KHAVARANI ADOLESCENCE by MAVIS CLARE BARNETT ON CLEADA'S HILL THE MOON IS BRIGHT by JEREMIAH JOSEPH CALLANAN |
| |