Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WORLD; THE LOVERS; FALLING STARS, by THOMAS MCGRATH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WORLD; THE LOVERS; FALLING STARS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Peaked in an immortal flame
Last Line: Lingers when a star was there
Subject(s): Fire; Love; Stars


Peaked in an immortal flame
The mortal moth-like lovers burn.
The love that sets their limbs alight
(Searing the snow of breast and thigh)
Can have no history but to die,
Yet cannot change. Across the night
Radiance of falling stars is borne:
Impermanent. These are the same
Who burn in the contradictions of
The strict and sensual laws of love.

Passing a point of no return,
An age consumed in instant flame,
The lovers cannot save themselves.
Bound in a swift triumphant arc,
Like falling stars, they light the dark
And loveless world. From private hells
All common daily good is torn,
Without history or name
Almost: though brilliance in the air
Lingers when a star was there.


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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