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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNET, by MAXWELL BODENHEIM Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Like wine grown stale, the street-lamp's pallor Last Line: At rest because old memories have grown cold. Subject(s): Old Age; Women | |||
Like wine grown stale, the street-lamp's pallor seeks The wilted anger of her scarlet lips, And bitter, evanescent finger-tips Of unsaid questions play upon her cheeks. She sways a little, and her tired breath, Fumbling at the crucifix of her mind, Draws out the aged nails, now dull and kind, That once were sharp loves hardening in their death. And so a dumb joy tips her sudden smiles At passing men who eye her wonderingly And hurry on because her face is old. They merely think her clumsy in her wiles: They know not that her face is dizzily At rest because old memories have grown cold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |
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