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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MARIANNE MOORE by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: WILL NOT SOME DOZEN SACKS OF RAGS
Last Line: BEFORE HE MUST RETURN TO THE DARK STREET.
Subject(s): MOORE, MARIANNE (1887-1972);
Will not some dozen sacks of rags
observant of intelligence
conspire from their outlandish cellar
to evade the law?

Let them, stuffed up, appear
before her door at ten some night
and say: Marianne, save us!
Put us in a book of yours.

Then she would ask the fellow in
and give him cake
and warm him with her talk
before he must return to the dark street.



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