Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SEA LILY by HILDA DOOLITTLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: REED / SLASHED AND TORN
Last Line: TO COVER YOU WITH FROTH.
Subject(s): BIBLE; FLOWERS; LILIES;

REED,
slashed and torn
but doubly rich --
such great heads as yours
drift upon temple-steps,
but you are shattered
in the wind.
Myrtle-bark
is flecked from you,
scales are dashed
from your stem,
sand cuts your petal,
furrows it with hard edge,
like flint
on a bright stone.
Yet though the whole wind
slash at your bark,
you are lifted up,
aye -- though it hiss
to cover you with froth.



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