Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TOWARD THE PIRAEUS: 5, by HILDA DOOLITTLE



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TOWARD THE PIRAEUS: 5, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: It was not chastity that made me cold nor fear
Last Line: Fiery-tempered, delicate, over-passionate steel.
Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs.
Subject(s): Arms & Armor; Bible; Chastity; Despair; Weapons; Ammunition


IT was not chastity that made me cold nor fear,
only I knew that you, like myself, were sick
of the puny race that crawls and quibbles and lisps
of love and love and lovers and love's deceit.

It was not chastity that made me wild but fear
that my weapon, tempered in different heat,
was over-matched by yours, and your hand
skilled to yield death-blows, might break

With the slightest turn -- no ill-will meant --
my own lesser, yet still somewhat fine-wrought
fiery-tempered, delicate, over-passionate steel.





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