Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FRANKINCENSE AMD MYRRH by AMY LOWELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: MY HEART IS TUNED TO SORROW, AND THE STRINGS
Last Line: AND LIFE ABLAZE WITH BEAUTY, I AM DUMB.

My heart is tuned to sorrow, and the strings
Vibrate most readily to minor chords,
Searching and sad; my mind is stuffed with words
Which voice the passion and the ache of things:
Illusions beating with their baffled wings
Againnd earth's rim, the sun has set.
Your voice has sung across my heart, but numb
And mute, I have no tones to answer. Far
Within I kneel before you, speechless yet,
And life ablaze with beauty, I am dumb.






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