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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BIRTH OF VENUS, by HAYDEN CARRUTH Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Surely we knew our darkling shore Last Line: Your powers, one will be carruth Subject(s): Birth; Mythology - Classical; Venus (goddess); Child Birth; Midwifery | |||
Surely we knew our darkling shore. None doubted that continual roar Of gray waves seething, cold and huge, None misconceived that beach, those reeds Wreathed in the dark, dead, dripping weeds. No fiction there, no subterfuge. Came she then, borne from such sea-bed? We think so. Clouds in violent red Shone on her warmly, flank and breast, And some remember how the foam Swirled at her ankles. Other some Look shrewd and smile behind the rest. She gave us beauty where our eyes Had seen need only. We grew wise, For how could wisdom fail the gift Bestowed in that superb undress, Value devised as loveliness From ocean's riches, ocean's thrift? But, Love, then must it be the sea That makes you credible? Must we Bear all to one phenomenon? True, certainty is our seacoast, The landmark of the clearly lost Whose gathering waves drive on and on. Great queen, an ignorant poet's heart Is all his faith, yet still his art Can prick your source to tell the truth. So teach him, lady. Then always Among the people here who praise Your powers, one will be Carruth. Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368-0271, www.cc.press.org | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHY I AM AFRAID OF TURNING THE PAGE by CATE MARVIN ACCIDENTS OF BIRTH by WILLIAM MEREDITH ONE FOR ALL NEWBORNS by THYLIAS MOSS CURRICULUM VITAE by LISEL MUELLER FOUND IN THE CABBAGE PATCH by LISEL MUELLER I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A REAL HARD TIME BEFORE' by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE WORLD AS WILL AND REPRESENTATION' by HAYDEN CARRUTH A POST-IMPRESSIONIST SUSURRATION FOR THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER by HAYDEN CARRUTH |
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