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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CENTER OF GRAVITY by DAVID IGNATOW

Poet Analysis

First Line: IS IN SPEAKING OF SILENCES ABOUT LIVING
Last Line: SUCH A SILENCE THAT SPEAKS TO THE DENSITY / OF LIVING
Subject(s): SILENCE; LIFE;
There are times I refuse to wash myself
as if I would have the dirt and sweat
of that day stay until tomorrow,
for each day goes by in dirt and sweat,
washed off each evening, with not much thought
of what it is I wash off, another day
of my life.

I should pray with each washing,
for I am letting go down the drain
a part of me I must miss forever --
bit by bit until I wash my life away,
for all I really have to show is this
dirt and sweat I cling to as my only
evidence of having lived, my one
accomplishment and pride.



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