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ORIENTALE: 1, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I spoke to thee
Last Line: O thou, is love not death?
Alternate Author Name(s): Cummings, E. E.
Subject(s): Life; Love - Nature Of


i spoke to thee
with a smile and thou didst not
answer
thy mouth is as
a chord of crimson music
Come hither—
O thou, is life not a smile?

i spoke to thee with
a song and thou
didst not listen
thine eyes are as a vase
of divine silence
Come hither—
O thou, is life not a song?

i spoke
to thee with a soul, and thou didst not wonder
thy face is as a dream locked
in white fragrance.
Come hither—
O thou, is life not love?

i speak to
thee with a sword
and thou art silent
thy breast is as a tomb
softer than flowers
Come hither—
O thou, is love not death?





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