Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THICK BLACK SHADOWS, by REBECCA ZEH First Line: The thick, black shadows Last Line: And six feet of yellow clay! Subject(s): Shadows | ||||||||
The thick, black shadows, Falling on the grass, Fall so dark and heavy That I cannot pass; That I cannot pass Or force my way through Back to air and sunlight And back to you. Black, black shadows, And six feet of yellow clay Hinder me, and choke me, And stand in my way. Six feet of solid clay Make it damp and dark, And I cannot hear the robin, I cannot hear the lark. I can hear you weeping Up above my head But I cannot answer you, For all my strength has fled. I can only lie in my cold narrow bed, Just as still and quiet, As though I were dead. God! As though I were dead! Black, black shadows, And six feet of yellow clay Keep me from knowing The night from the day, And how can you expect me To try to force my way Through such thick, black shadows, And six feet of solid clay? How can you expect me To break such heavy sod? How can you expect me To get back to God? Black, black shadows, And six feet of yellow clay, Hold me, and hinder me From going on my way. Sweetheart, sweetheart, Kneel you down and pray That once again I hear the lark, And see the light of day. Black, black shadows, And six feet of yellow clay! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ANIMAL INSIDE THE ANIMAL by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN DRIVING ALONGSIDE THE HOUSANTONIC RIVER ALONE ON A RAINY APRIL NIGHT by WILLIAM MATTHEWS NOCTURNE IN A MINOR KEY by CONRAD AIKEN SONATA IN PATHOS by CONRAD AIKEN I LOOKED FOR LIFE AND DID A SHADOW SEE by JAMES GALVIN CHAMBER MUSIC: 12 by JAMES JOYCE |
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