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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EFFIGY OF A NUN (SIXTEENTH CENTURY), by SARA TEASDALE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Infinite gentleness, infinite irony Last Line: How empty wisdom is, even to the wise. Alternate Author Name(s): Filsinger, Ernest B., Mrs. Subject(s): Nuns; Wisdom | |||
Infinite gentleness, infinite irony Are in this face with fast-sealed eyes, And around this mouth that learned in loneliness How useless their wisdom is to the wise. In her nun's habit carved, patiently, lovingly, By one who knew the ways of womankind, This woman's face still keeps, in its cold wistful calm, All of the subtle pride of her mind. These long patrician hands, clasping the crucifix, Show she had weighed the world, her will was set; These pale curved lips of hers, holding their hidden smile, Once having made their choice, knew no regret. She was of those who hoard their own thoughts carefully, Feeling them far too dear to give away, Content to look at life with the high, insolent Air of an audience watching a play. If she was curious, if she was passionate She must have told herself that love was great, But that the lacking it might be as great a thing If she held fast to it, challenging fate. She who so loved herself and her own warring thoughts, Watching their humorous, tragic rebound, In her thick habit's fold, sleeping, sleeping, Is she amused at dreams she has found? Infinite tenderness, infinite irony Are hidden forever in her closed eyes, Who must have learned too well in her long loneliness How empty wisdom is, even to the wise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOPE IS NOT FOR THE WISE by ROBINSON JEFFERS SEVEN TWILIGHTS: 5 by CONRAD AIKEN SONG: NOW THAT SHE IS HERE; FOR JOE-ANNE by HAYDEN CARRUTH WISE: HAVING THE ABILITY TO PERCEIVE AND ADOPT THE BEST by LUCILLE CLIFTON WISDOM COMETH WITH THE YEARS by COUNTEE CULLEN FOR RANDALL JARRELL, 1914-1965 by NORMAN DUBIE THE MORTAL WORDS OF ZWEIK by PHILIP LEVINE |
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