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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SECRET, by JASPER BARNETT COUDIN First Line: The cedars hold a secret in their heads Last Line: Goes on its way with death. No word comes back. Subject(s): Death; Secrets; Dead, The | |||
The cedars hold a secret in their heads While whispering together; poplar-tops Meet for a conference, but only sigh; The birches are not tongueless nor the oaks. In needless haste the winds go by and leave Less than a hint of what their moods might tell. The little rivers babble to the hills Less than they know; in language strange to us Each water-drop tinkles a mystery. The birds cry out all day, but in their glee Are cautious not to break forbidden news. The ocean breezes murmur many things, But not the one sure word; for taciturnity, A spider's chronicle of lazy-day In some untravelled corner tells us less. The shifting glories of a sunset hour Almost reveal the secret ere they fade. A shrill outcry of crickets storms the dark With untranslated syllables; and lo! Night after night a crowded dome of sparks Spells the old hieroglyph across the sky. When a child laughs some helpless little word Totters with heavy meaning, and is lost. The fixed I Am of personality Breathes a fine whisper, gone ere fully caught. Deep is the after-stillness when a soul Goes on its way with Death. No word comes back. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND TO THE MEMORY OF BEN JONSON by JOHN CLEVELAND |
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