Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ENVY: 1, by HILDA DOOLITTLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ENVY: 1, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I envy you your chance of death
Last Line: That you have not?
Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs.
Variant Title(s): Fragment Sixty-eight
Subject(s): Bible; Envy


I envy you your chance of death,
how I envy you this.
I am more covetous of him
even than of your glance,
I wish more from his presence
though he torture me in a grasp
terrible, intense.

Though he clasp me in an embrace
that is set against my will,
and rack me with his measure,
effortless yet full of strength,
and slay me
in that most horrible contest,
still, how I envy you your chance.

Though he pierce me with his lust,
iron, fever and dust,
though beauty is slain
when I perish,
I envy you death.

What is beauty to me?
has she not slain me enough,
have I not cried in agony of love,
birth, hate,
in pride crushed?

What is left after this?
what can death loose in me
after your embrace?
your touch,
your limbs are more terrible
to do me hurt.

What can death mar in me
that you have not?





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