Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ESCUTCHEON, by HALA JEAN HAMMOND First Line: Something of the abundance of trees, of woods, of deep wells Last Line: The perfect ... Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Poverty | ||||||||
Something of the abundance of trees, of woods, of deep wells Of life too full for livingis within me. Something of power too vast for infinite grasp Something of deathtoo terrible To look upon Not desiring; Something so high like migratory birds swiftly Unerringly knowing where the rushes lean Their wings shaped, their breasts glowing With purpose drawn of cabled gold To heart's madness Remotely held; Teasing days with copper allurements of altering shape; Nights crowding with brilliant schemes foregone and glory Fusing into petaled starsthe end Rememberingevermore to eye Cajoling, taunting, Threatening; Starved notes of half-strung violin are not enough. Symphonic fullness must to meonly searches The Beggar. His to find what lordliness disdained; A paradise locked hard within The soul waits freeing stroke Of wizardry. How do I know? .. Because I am the Beggar. How do I know? .. I walk in squalid rags With broidered gorgeousness beneath them. Silver soles Clinging to my sandals. I am all And Everyman Embodied. Something of the abundance of trees, of air, of deep wells Fulness of life in me Holding in my starving breast The Perfect ... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WEALTH OF THE DESTITUTE by DENISE LEVERTOV EMPTY PITCHFORKS by THOMAS LUX FUNERAL SERVICE by EVE MERRIAM A SMALL COUNTRY by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA DOCUMENTAL by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA NOTES ON POVERTY by HAYDEN CARRUTH SONG OF TWO CROWS by HAYDEN CARRUTH PENCIL STUB JOURNALS: CHOICES by JOHN CIARDI AT LAST WE KILLED THE ROACHES by LUCILLE CLIFTON A STUDY IN RED; FROM THE OLD MASTERS by HALA JEAN HAMMOND |
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