Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE COLUMNIST, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE COLUMNIST, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I'd rather stand important in a swallow
Last Line: For what? For nothing but to see the god.
Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald


I'd rather stand important in a swallow
Tailed coat provided by the maison and
Take hats and wraps in the porches of Apollo
(Letting the gentlemen perceive my hand
By accident -- the palm a little hollow --
Under the overcoats), I'd rather stand
Here at the door telling the crowd to follow
The golden arrows till they hear the band
Than work inside. Inside they never see
The pretty women in expensive dresses
Who come on tilted heels to dance nor the
Hibernian earls and Iowa princesses,
But carry coals in the old dusty hod --
For what? For nothing but to see the god.





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