Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BARAKEESH by HANIEL (CLARK) LONG

Poet Analysis

First Line: YOU TELL ME THAT THE GREEN GOD SAYS
Last Line: WHEN WORST HAS COME TO WORST.
You tell me that the green god says
That Barakeesh is fair;
I answer that the strangest stars
Are shining everywhere,
That unaccustomed suns arise,
And life is gay and sweet
As the tinkle of the camel bells
Along your phantom street.

O friend of God, if I decline
To taste the gift you give
'Tis that I need no hash-a-eesh
To coax me still to live.
Plain every day is vice enough,
With moons to quench my thirst;
And I let the roses poppy me
When worst has come to worst.


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