One by one we lay aside The little notions of our pride. The candle burns, wax hard and white Sprawls down grotesque for flame and light. Immaculate petals hurled by storm Rip from the green and fruiting form. Hard flesh of the fruit drops down in weed, Spots and softens to give its seed. Death coils in the heart which would retain The hard white cell and the height unchanged. A greater dignity comes to those Sprawled and absurd in the living throes. Stained and twisted, the earth-torn wife Receives the ultimate pride of life. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A POEM FROM BOULDER RIDGE by JAMES GALVIN I WANT TO LIVE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON LINES ON CARMEN SYLVA by EMMA LAZARUS CLAY BISON IN A CAVE by CLARENCE MAJOR MADMAN OF THE SOUTH SIDE by CLARENCE MAJOR CHRISTMAS AT INDIAN POINT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |