Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STARS by JOHN FREEMAN

First Line: FLAME, O FLAME, BURNING BRIGHT
Last Line: FIRE, FIRE BURN BRIGHT!
Subject(s): STARS;
FLAME, O Flame, burning bright,
Burn, burn up the heavy night.
Not like earth that burns so slowly
Buried flesh with rites unholy,
And lapsing dew and sinking slime,
Allies of man's enemy, Time.
@3Fire, fire burn bright!@1

Shoot, fierce eyes, your arrows bright
On the waste lands of Delight.
Sullen pleasures slowly smoulder,
Agèd appetites grow colder,
Weaker. Come, then, Fire, and thrust
Flame amid this sickly lust.
@3Fire, fire burn bright!@1

Blaze, O martial torches, bright
In the heavens' darkest height.
Mortal lamps are dim and fitful,
Blear dusk shows all things pitiful.
Shine, shine O starry Fire
In the heavens of Desire.
@3Fire, fire burn bright!@1



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