Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HELEN, by HILDA DOOLITTLE


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HELEN, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: All greece hates / the still eyes in the white face
Last Line: White ash amid funereal cypresses.
Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs.
Subject(s): Bible; Hate; Helen Of Troy; Mythology - Classical


All Greece hates
the still eyes in the white face,
the lustre as of olives
where she stands,
and the white hands.

All Greece reviles
the wan face when she smiles,
hating it deeper still
when it grows wan and white,
remembering past enchantments
and past ills.

Greece sees unmoved,
God's daughter, born of love,
the beauty of cool feet
and slenderest knees,
could love indeed the maid,
only if she were laid,
white ash amid funereal cypresses.




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