Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SLOW DEATH, by HAZEL HALL Poet's Biography First Line: You need no other death than this Last Line: Of breath tarnished to color of air. Subject(s): Death; Dead, The | ||||||||
You need no other death than this Slow death that wears your heart away; It is enough, the death that is Your every night, your every day. It is enough, the sun that slants Across your breast, heavy as steel, Leaving the rust of radiance To shape a wound that will not heal. Enough, the crystal at your lips, Wasting you even as it lies -- Vibrant there before it slips Away, torn from your mouth like cries. There will be now, as fumes from wood, A passing, yet no new death's care. You will know only the frustrate mood Of breath tarnished to color of air. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND |
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