Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RED STAINS, by JOHN ORLEY ALLEN TATE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RED STAINS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: In a pyloned desert where the scorpion reigns
Last Line: Her calm steel eyes, her earth-old throat of honey!
Alternate Author Name(s): Tate, Allen


In a pyloned desert where the scorpion reigns
My love and I plucked poppies breathing tales
Of crimes now long asleep, whose once-red stains
Dyed stabbing men, at sea with bloody sails.
The golden sand drowsed. There a dog yelped loud;
And in his cry rattled a hollow note
Of deep uncanny knowledge of that crowd
That loved and bled in winy times remote.
The poppies fainted when the moon came wide;
The cur lay still. Our passionate review
Of red wise folly dreamed on ... She by my side
Stared at the Moon; and then I knew he knew.
And he smiled at her; to him 'twas funny -
Her calm steel eyes, her earth-old throat of honey!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net