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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THIRTEENTH SUMMER, by BRENDA SHAUGHNESSY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Who is twelve? Not you, in absolute skirt
Subject(s): Aging; Children; Summer; Childhood
First Line: Who is twelve? Not you, in absolute skirt
Subject(s): Aging; Children; Summer; Childhood
Who is twelve? Not you, in absolute skirt,
and sweet on treasures twisted out
from underneath the pokeweed and plywood.
Someone has promised you sticky canyon jewels,
and then showed you where to put your hands,
saying, It's like peeling the sky.
And suddenly in your nervous uncle's
fuchsia garden your life has the smell
ofan old bone corset you've never seen.
In your own miniature Illinois, the nightsworth
ofever-early trains runs you ragged witll wool
insomnia, squandered earthquake.
Slowly, in a tight dress, cheating at truth
or dare, a quick liquid has stolen its rival,
heat, from your round body as you cross into sleep.
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THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN
CHILDREN SELECTING BOOKS IN A LIBRARY by RANDALL JARRELL
COME TO THE STONE ... by RANDALL JARRELL
THE LOST WORLD by RANDALL JARRELL
A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL
CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS
ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD by DONALD JUSTICE
THE POET AT SEVEN by DONALD JUSTICE
YOUR NAME ON IT by BRENDA SHAUGHNESSY