Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: CALVIN CAMPBELL, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS



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SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: CALVIN CAMPBELL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ye who are kicking against fate
Last Line: So as to make you jessamine or wistaria?


YE who are kicking against Fate,
Tell me how it is that on this hill-side,
Running down to the river,
Which fronts the sun and the south-wind,
This plant draws from the air and soil
Poison and becomes poison ivy?
And this plant draws from the same air and soil
Sweet elixirs and colors and becomes arbutus?
And both flourish?
You may blame Spoon River for what it is,
But whom do you blame for the will in you
That feeds itself and makes you dock-weed,
Jimpson, dandelion or mullen
And which can never use any soil or air
So as to make you jessamine or wistaria?





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