Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SHRINE, by STEWART MITCHELL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SHRINE, by                    
First Line: Think in what fashion this one man would rise
Last Line: To come up calm from knowledge of its night.
Subject(s): Shrines


Think in what fashion this one man would rise
From cold dust, coffined up against decay,
To find his solitary place a way
For stupid feet and trivial, staring eyes.
These noisy rooks in blue, white-clouded skies
Would have recalled for him all rapt delay
Pleasure occasions death -- and judgment day;
His second choice was silence, where he lies.

Seas were not made to swim in: shallow streams
Flowing through shadow, dappled with dim light,
These be our playgrounds, as the deep sea teems
Menacing, sullen shapes that haunt the sight --
Now and again divers dive down for dreams
To come up calm from knowledge of its night.





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