Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BEGGAR, by SAUNDERS WHITELAW



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BEGGAR, by                    
First Line: The old sea-fog, in a tattered veil
Last Line: With the plum's white beauty overspread.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Dragons


The old sea-fog, in a tattered veil,
Comes to my door with a beggar's tale.
Her grey eyes wander with eager desire.
(She shudders and turns from my driftwood fire)
Till her gaze is held on a lacquered tray
Etched by the shadow of a spray
Of wild plum blossom . . . the tray is old,
With dragon handles of painted gold.
As she reaches a thin and bony hand,
The wind calls here with a sharp command,
And she turns away, a cowering slave,
Hurrying off to her grey sea cave;
Forgetting the plate of Chinese red
With the plum's white beauty overspread.





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