And Pierrot said— Make me clouds of amber and mists of amethyst, And build me a house of marble White ... and cold. And on the roof lay a maiden, And let a sword Of burnished steel Slash at her heart, letting out Her bright young blood Till my house has a roof of crimson Which shall never fade. And Pierrot said— In my house put books Bound with the skins of old men, The old brown skins of wisdom; And let the contents be written With tears of experience, So that I, reading them, Shall be filled with a wisdom Wonderful in my youth. And Pierrot said— Let my couch be padded With the tresses of women, That, resting on them, I may know the passion, In one moment, of many women. And let their scalps be perfumed And laid away in a crystal jar For my amused gaze. And the gods said— Let him have these things And many more, That he may quickly learn The futility of all things.... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SUMMER'S NIGHT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE FORERUNNERS by GEORGE HERBERT THE WAY THROUGH THE WOODS by RUDYARD KIPLING OF TREASON by MARCUS VALERIUS MARTIALIS MARIPOSA by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY |