Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: GRIFFY THE COOPER, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: GRIFFY THE COOPER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The cooper should know about tubs
Last Line: And that you know life!


THE cooper should know about tubs.
But I learned about life as well,
And you who loiter around these graves
Think you know life.
You think your eye sweeps about a wide horizon, perhaps,
In truth you are only looking around the interior of your tub.
You cannot lift yourself to its rim
And see the outer world of things,
And at the same time see yourself.
You are submerged in the tub of yourself --
Taboos and rules and appearances,
Are the staves of your tub.
Break them and dispel the witchcraft
Of thinking your tub is life!
And that you know life!





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