Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IRRADIATIONS: 10 by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER

First Line: THE TREES, LIKE GREAT JADE ELEPHANTS
Last Line: WOULD I WERE TOSSED ON THE WRINKLED BACKS OF THOSE TREES.
The trees, like great jade elephants,
Chained, stamp and shake 'neath the gadflies of the breeze;
The trees lunge and plunge, unruly elephants:
The clouds are their crimson howdah-canopies,
The sunlight glints like the golden robe of a Shah.
Would I were tossed on the wrinkled backs of those trees.



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