Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FACES AT A FIRE, by STEPHEN PHILLIPS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FACES AT A FIRE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dazzled with watching how the swift fire fled
Last Line: I saw; then through the darkness went afraid.


DAZZLED with watching how the swift fire fled
Along the dribbling roof, I turned my head;
When lo, upraised beneath the lighted cloud
The illumed unconscious faces of the crowd!
An old grey face in lovely bloom upturned,
The ancient rapture and the dream returned!
A crafty face wondering simply up!
That dying face near the communion cup!
The experienced face, now venturous and rash,
The scheming eyes hither and thither flash!
That common trivial face made up of needs,
Now pale and recent from triumphal deeds!
The hungry tramp with indolent gloating stare,
The beggar in glory and released from care.
A mother slowly burning with bare breast,
Yet her consuming child close to her prest!
That prosperous citizen in anguish dire,
Beseeching heaven from purgatorial fire!
Wonderful souls by sudden flame betrayed,
I saw; then through the darkness went afraid.





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