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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN ARRANGEMENT FOR AN INQUIRING OBOE OF PHILOSPHIC BENT by RAYMOND ELLSWORTH F. LARSSON

First Line: SING / NOW
Last Line: NOR CRINGE AT WHAT YOU FIND)
Subject(s): SALOME (1ST CENTURY A.D.); SINGING & SINGERS; SONGS;
"Sing
now
the facile song of death"

-- Salome lies
remotely dead
under the weight
of livid-shadowed spears

-- Salome lies
remotely dead
and the thin rind
of her smile
hallows nothing

innate
among the looming rocks
her smile belied
among the looming rocks
shadows among shadows
compose themselves
in staggering procession

-- let the livid shadows
of spears moulder her smile
with suave denials
-- let the shadow of spears
pin her body to earth

let the shadows of rocks
and of spears
crush her to earth

(a smile
cannot corrupt
the darkened rocks
nor soften the shapes of spears
nor the shade of bloody spears)

Thrust your hands
into the shadows of rocks
into the shadows of thin smiles
nor cringe at what you find. . . .

-- let the shadows
cloud the depths of her eyes
strangle her
with omnipotent nays

Throw the body
to the dogs . . .
there are drums for dancers
and wine for those who would laugh

(Thrust your hands
into the shadows of rocks
into the shadows of thin smiles
nor cringe at what you find)



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