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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DAWN IN ITALY AND IN LONDON by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER

First Line: BENEATH THE SOMBRE CYPRESSES
Last Line: AND THE SLUM OF GRIM DESPAIR.
Subject(s): DESPAIR; ITALY; LONDON; ITALIANS;
BENEATH the sombre cypresses
The faded petals fall,
Against the dawn's grey wall
Are etched the motionless trees:
And the last perfume of the rose is borne
Out to die at the gates of the morn.
There are only four things
Which my soul can find
To match its moody mind:
The lake of the mountain springs,
The sad, caressing wind,
The star aloft in the air,
And the tree in the desert bare.
To each dim blackened roof
A leaden fogbank clings:
With acrid smoke it stings,
he sunlight stays aloof.
he traffic grumbles by,
Men live and suffer -- why?
There are only four things
Which my soul can find
To match its moody mind:
The ancient house which rots,
Suburban rubbish lots,
The abandoned factory bare,
And the slum of grim despair.



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