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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MUSIC, by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My friend went to the piano; spun the stool Last Line: "how pretty!"" we said; and went on with our talk again." Subject(s): Musical Instruments; Pianos | |||
My friend went to the piano; spun the stool A little higher; left his pipe to cool; Picked up a fat green volume from the chest; And propped it open. Whitely without rest, His fingers swept the keys that flashed like swords, . . . And to the brute drums of barbarian hordes, Roaring and thunderous and weapon-bare, An army stormed the bastions of the air! Dreadful with banners, fire to slay and parch, Marching together as the lightnings march, And swift as storm-clouds. Brazen helms and cars Clanged to a fierce resurgence of old wars Above the screaming horns. In state they passed, Trampling and splendid on and sought the vast -- Rending the darkness like a leaping knife, The flame, the noble pageant of our life! The burning seal that stamps man's high indenture To vain attempt and most forlorn adventure; Romance, and purple seas, and toppling towns, And the wind's valiance crying o'er the downs; That nerves the silly hand, the feeble brain, From the loose net of words to deeds again And to all courage! Perilous and sharp The last chord shook me as wind shakes a harp! . . .And my friend swung round on his stool, and from gods we were men, "How pretty!" we said; and went on with our talk again. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WELL, YOU NEEDN'T by WILLIAM MATTHEWS PIANO LESSONS by WILLIAM MATTHEWS VISITING SUNDAY: CONVENT NOVITIATE by MADELINE DEFREES SEVERAL MEASURES FOR THE LITTLE LOST by NORMAN DUBIE THE PLAYER PIANO by RANDALL JARRELL THE EBONY CHICKERING by DORIANNE LAUX SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: JOSEPH DIXON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS A MINOR POET by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET ARCHIMEDES LAST FORAY by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET CAMPUS SONNET: BEFORE AN EXAMINATION by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET |
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