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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DIOGENES by MARIANNE MOORE

Poet Analysis

First Line: DAY'S CALUMNIES, / MIDNIGHT'S TRANSLUCENCIES
Last Line: BE THANKED FOR IT?
Subject(s): DIOGENES;

Day's calumnies,
Midnight's translucencies,
Pride's open book
Of closed humilities—
With its inflated look;
Shall contrarieties
As feasible as these
Confound my wit?

Is Persian cloth
One thread with Persian sloth?
Is gold dust bran?
Though spotted Ashtaroth
Is not a Puritan,
Must every gorgeous moth
Be calico, and Thoth
Be thanked for it?



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