Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WORMS' CONTEMPT, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WORMS' CONTEMPT, by                 Poet Analysis    
First Line: What do we earn for all our gentle grace?
Last Line: The worms' contempt, that have no time for preaching.
Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H.
Subject(s): Death; Worms; Dead, The


What do we earn for all our gentle grace?
A body stiff and cold from foot to face.

If you have beauty, what is beauty worth?
A mask to hide it, made of common earth.

What do we get for all our song and prattle?
A gasp for longer breath, and then a rattle.

What do we earn for dreams, and our high teaching?
The worms' contempt, that have no time for preaching.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net