Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, STARS AT TALLAPOOSA, by WALLACE STEVENS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STARS AT TALLAPOOSA, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The lines are straight and swift between the stars.
Subject(s): Stars


The lines are straight and swift between the stars.
The lines are straight and swift between the stars.
The night is not the cradle that they cry,
The night is not the cradle that they cry,
The criers, undulating the deep-oceaned phrase.
The criers, undulating the deep-oceaned phrase.
The lines are much too dark and much too sharp.
The lines are much too dark and much too sharp.
The mind herein attains simplicity.
The mind herein attains simplicity.
There is no moon, no single, silvered leaf.
There is no moon, no single, silvered leaf.
The body is no body to be seen
The body is no body to be seen
But is an eye that studies its black lid.
But is an eye that studies its black lid.
Let these be your delight, secretive hunter,
Let these be your delight, secretive hunter,
Wading the sea-lines, moist and ever-mingling,
Wading the sea-lines, moist and ever-mingling,
Mounting the earth-lines, long and lax, lethargic.
Mounting the earth-lines, long and lax, lethargic.
These lines are swift and fall without diverging.
These lines are swift and fall without diverging.
The melon-flower nor dew nor web of either
The melon-flower nor dew nor web of either
Is like to these. But in yourself is like :
Is like to these. But in yourself is like :
A sheaf of brilliant arrows flying straight,
A sheaf of brilliant arrows flying straight,
Flying and falling straightway for their pleasure,
Flying and falling straightway for their pleasure,
Their pleasure that is all bright-edged and cold ;
Their pleasure that is all bright-edged and cold ;
Or, if not arrows, then the nimblest motions,
Or, if not arrows, then the nimblest motions,
Making recoveries of young nakedness
Making recoveries of young nakedness
And the lost vehemence the midnights hold.
And the lost vehemence the midnights hold.






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