Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ANATOMY, by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ANATOMY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: By chance my fingers, resting on my face
Last Line: How much death does: and yet can do no more.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ramal, Walter; De La Mare, Walter


By chance my fingers, resting on my face,
Stayed suddenly where in its orbit shone
The lamp of all things beautiful; then on,
Following more heedfully, did softly trace
Each arch and prominence and hollow place
That shall revealed be when all else is gone --
Warmth, colour, roundness -- to oblivion,
And nothing left but darkness and disgrace.

Life like a moment passed seemed then to be;
A transient dream this raiment that it wore;
While spelled my hand out its mortality,
Made certain all that had seemed doubt before:
Proved -- O how vaguely, yet how lucidly! --
How much death does: and yet can do no more.





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