Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ALAN, DIVING, by GEORGE HERBERT NELSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ALAN, DIVING, by                    
First Line: Naked, exultant, and glistening in the sun
Last Line: Live deathless in the heart of this fair boy!
Subject(s): Diving & Divers


Naked, exultant, and glistening in the sun,
Lithe as the youths who Spartan races won,
Nimble as Indian brave, as fearless too, may be,
No goodlier sight was ever seen than he.

Tingling with life from heels to fingertips,
His hands upraised, and laughter on his lips,
Poised like an eager bird on swaying bough
Or figurehead upon an ancient prow.

Arms straight outthrust, and slender figure bent,
As a tensioned bow before its force is spent,
An instant's pause; then, like an arrow's flight
His body cleaves the sunshine, gleaming, white.

Into the green and cooling depths he goes...
Up, like a breeze from distant mountain snows!
All youth, all gladness, springtime, singing, joy,
Live deathless in the heart of this fair boy!





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