Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LEUCADIAM ARTEMIS, by HILDA DOOLITTLE



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LEUCADIAM ARTEMIS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I heard the intolerable rhythm
Last Line: And the luminous trees.
Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs.
Subject(s): Arcadians; Artemis; Bible; Mythology - Classical; Trees; Arcadia


I heard the intolerable rhythm
and sound of prayer,
so I have hidden
where no mortals are,
no sycophant of priest
to mar my ease
climbing impassable stairs
of rock
and forest shale
and barrier of trees.

Someone will come
after I shun this place,
and set a circle,
blunt end up,
of stones
flattened and hewn,
and pile an altar;
but I shall have gone
further,
toward loftier barrier,
mightier trees.
Bear, wolf and pard
I will entice with me,
that eyes' black fire
or yellow,
flatter,
conjure,
feed desire,
conspire,
lead me yet further
to some loftier shelf,
untrodden.
Unappeased,
I will disport at ease
and wait;
I will engage in contretemps with earth
how we may best efface
from Elaea
and all stony Peloponnese,
from wild Arcadia,
from the Isthmian straits,
from Thrace and Locrain hills,
(as isles are sunk
in overwhelming seas),
all Grecian cities
with the wild arbutus
and the luminous trees.





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