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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CONTRA MORTEM: THE CHILD by HAYDEN CARRUTH

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: OTHERWISE CONSIDERED BEING IS A FORCE
Last Line: LOWEST OF LOW QUICKEST UNLIFE THE IMMENSE LORDLING
Subject(s): CHILDREN; YOUTH; CHILDHOOD;

Otherwise considered being is a force
more or less welldirected Cometh the child
exploded running nine ways at once
an egg dropped a cup spilled
a universe erupting hell on wheels whence
backward rocking he incautiously squints
in the village square of the square village
to the spire up up and up verge
upon verge higher and higher till he sits
in his damp britches plop
extended a being from his arse to his three wits
real to ideal and then gets up
weeping his laughter dancing his stumble worlding
every unworld eating names in his soup
lowest of low quickest unlife the immense lordling.


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org



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