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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ESCAPE, by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: But I was dead, an hour or more Last Line: O life! O sun! Subject(s): Death; Escapes; World War I; Dead, The; Fugitives; First World War | |||
(August 6, 1916. -- Officer previously reported died of wounds, now reported wounded: Graves, Captain R., Royal Welch Fusiliers.) ...BUT I was dead, an hour or more. I woke when I'd already passed the door That Cerberus guards, and half-way down the road To Lethe, as an old Greek signpost showed. Above me, on my stretcher swinging by, I saw new stars in the subterrene sky: A Cross, a Rose in bloom, a Cage with bars, And a barbed Arrow feathered in fine stars. I felt the vapours of forgetfulness Float in my nostrils. Oh, may Heaven bless Dear Lady Proserpine, who saw me wake, And, stooping over me, for Henna's sake Cleared my poor buzzing head and sent me back Breathless, with leaping heart along the track. After me roared and clattered angry hosts Of demons, heroes, and policeman-ghosts. "Life! life! I can't be dead! I won't be dead! Damned if I'll die for any one!" I said.... Cerberus stands and grins above me now, Wearing three heads -- lion, and lynx, and sow. "Quick, a revolver! But my Webley's gone, Stolen! ... No bombs ... no knife.... The crowd swarms on, Bellows, hurls stones.... Not even a honeyed sop... Nothing.... Good Cerberus!... Good dog! ... but stop! Stay!... A great luminous thought ... I do believe There's still some morphia that I bought on leave." Then swiftly Cerberus' wide mouths I cram With army biscuit smeared with ration jam; And sleep lurks in the luscious plum and apple. He crunches, swallows, stiffens, seems to grapple With the all-powerful poppy ... then a snore, A crash; the beast blocks up the corridor With monstrous hairy carcase, red and dun -- Too late! for I've sped through. O Life! O Sun! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN COUNTING THE BEATS by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES |
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