Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FACT OR FANCY?, by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In town I hear, scarce wakened yet Last Line: Unbodied, like the cuckoo's song. Subject(s): Birds; Cuckoos; Time | ||||||||
IN town I hear, scarce wakened yet, My neighbor's clock behind the wall Record the day's increasing debt, And Cuckoo! Cuckoo ! faintly call. Our senses run in deepening grooves, Thrown out of which they lose their tact, And consciousness with effort moves From habit past to present fact. So, in the country waked to-day, I hear, unwitting of the change, A cuckoo's throb from far away Begin to strike, nor think it strange. The sound creates its wonted frame: My bed at home, the songster hid Behind the wainscoting, all came As long association bid. I count to learn how late it is, Until, arrived at thirty-four, I question, "What strange world is this Whose lavish hours would make me poor?" Cuckoo! Cuckoo ! Still on it went, With hints of mockery in its tone; How could such hoards of time be spent By one poor mortal's wit alone? I have it! Grant, ye kindly Powers, I from this spot may never stir, If only these uncounted hours May pass, and seem too short, with Her! But who She is, her form and face, These to the world of dream belong; She moves through fancy's visioned space, Unbodied, like the cuckoo's song. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELEVEN EYES: FINAL SECTION by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: COME OCTOBER by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: HOME by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: TIME IS FILLED by LYN HEJINIAN SLOWLY: I FREQUENTLY SLOWLY WISH by LYN HEJINIAN ALL THE DIFFICULT HOURS AND MINUTES by JANE HIRSHFIELD A DAY IS VAST by JANE HIRSHFIELD FROM THIS HEIGHT by TONY HOAGLAND AFTER THE BURIAL by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL |
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