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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WASTE PLACES, by JAMES STEPHENS Poet's Biography First Line: As a naked man I go Last Line: The lion out to lick my hand! Variant Title(s): In Waste Places Subject(s): Freedom; Liberty | |||
As a naked man I go Through the desert, sore afraid; Holding high my head, although I'm as frightened as a maid. The lion crouches there! I saw In barren rocks his amber eye! He parts the cactus with his paw! He stares at me, as I go by! He would pad upon my trace If he thought I was afraid! If he knew my hardy face Veils the terrors of a maid. He rises in the night-time, and He stretches forth! He snuffs the air! He roars! He leaps along the sand! He creeps! He watches everywhere! His burning eyes, his eyes of bale Through the darkness I can see! He lashes fiercely with his tail! He makes again to spring at me! I am the lion, and his lair! I am the fear that frightens me! I am the desert of despair! And the night of agony! Night or day, whate'er befall, I must walk that desert land, Until I dare my fear, and call The lion out to lick my hand! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER |
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