Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STILLNESS by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: HEAVY WHITE ROOVES / OF RUTHERFORD
Last Line: AND SAY -- NOTHING.
Subject(s): SILENCE;
Heavy white rooves
of Rutherford
sloping west and east
under the fast darkening sky:

What have I to say to you
that you may whisper it to them
in the night?

Round you
is a great smouldering distance
on all sides
that engulfs you
in utter loneliness.

Lean above their beds tonight
snow covered rooves;
listen;
feel them stirring warmly within
and say -- nothing.



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