Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MATER IN EXTREMIS, by JEAN STARR UNTERMEYER



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MATER IN EXTREMIS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I stand between them and the outer winds
Last Line: I am about to fall.
Subject(s): Failure; Shields


I STAND between them and the outer winds,
But I am a crumbling wall.
They told me they could bear the blast alone,
They told me: that was all.
But I must wedge myself between
Them and the first snowfall.

Riddled am I by onslaughts and attacks
I thought I could forestall;
I reared and braced myself to shelter them
Before I heard them call.
I cry them, God, a better shield!
I am about to fall.





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