Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PROVERBS OF THE MIDLE WORLD, by THOMAS MCGRATH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PROVERBS OF THE MIDLE WORLD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The perfect swan upon the perfect lake
Last Line: The courts of lust shall judge the innocent
Subject(s): Conscience; Judges; Proverbs; Maxims; Adages


The perfect swan upon the perfect lake
Doubles its heaven in a single look.

* * *

No wise man can distinguish whore from prude
When they're wrapped in the common colors of their pride.

* * *

Some mask with courage, some with fear;
The rich wear power as a beast its fur.

* * *

The man of conscience or the man of sin --
All shadows take their color from the sun.

* * *

Who builds his freedom on another's life
Must start and tremble when his subjects laugh.

* * *

When queens of love proclaim their discontent,
The courts of lust shall judge the innocent.


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org




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