Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DUST-BOWL by DAISY LEMON COLDIRON

First Line: OUT OF THE MURKY WEST
Last Line: AND THE BONES OF A KIOWA!
Subject(s): DROUGHT; DUST;

Out of the murky west
Ten million swords of pain --
Oh, wind-tormented jest!
Oh, mockery of bitter rain!

These swirling clouds that blot the sky --
(Where now the long clean winds' far call?)
But more than dust is riding high,
And more than tears, this saffron pall!

Low-winging game, the antelope --
I think I hear them round me pass;
The herders' dream, the hunters' hope,
And thrice ten million blades of grass!

All is not silt the Furies fling!
Crying in their grip -- I saw --
Freedom's estate -- a holy thing --
@3And the bones of a Kiowa@1!



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