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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A STUDY IN RED; FROM THE OLD MASTERS by HALA JEAN HAMMOND

First Line: SLIPPERS-FLAMING LIKE CARDINAL'S CREST
Last Line: WHAT GOD INCARNADINED VEINS THAT BLED?
Subject(s): PASSION;

I

Slippers—flaming like cardinal's crest;
Vivid of motion; in their tattoos prest
Saturnalias of passion; @3torrents undammed@1 ...
Vishnu—or Chance, her feet oriflammed?

II

Night—and an orgy of blood spilled red;
To the bludgeons grovel obsequious hounds;
Truth tatterdemalioned—@3Law abounds:@1
What God incarnadined veins that bled?



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