Within my house of patterned horn I sleep in such a bed As men may keep before they're born And after they are dead. Sticks and stones may break their bones, And words may make them bleed: There is not one of them who own An armour to his need. Tougher than hide or lozenged bark Snow-storm and thunder proof, And quick with sun and thick with dark Is this my darling roof. Their troubled dreams of death and birth Pulse mother-o'-pearl to black: I bear the rainbow bubble Earth Square on my scornful back. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MESSAGE, FR. THE FAIR MAID OF THE EXCHANGE by THOMAS HEYWOOD TIME TO BE WISE by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR WRINKLES by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR THREE MOMENTS IN PARIS: 1. ONE O'CLOCK AT NIGHT by MINA LOY BALL'S BLUFF; A REVERIE by HERMAN MELVILLE PORTRAIT BY PICHER by FRANCES BAKER FIRST CYCLE OF LOVE POEMS: 2 by GEORGE BARKER |