Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SPANISH STAIRS-ROME by CHARLES LEO O'DONNELL

First Line: JOHN KEATS, IF HE WERE LIVING, WITH SAD EYES
Last Line: THREE BLIND MEN FIDDLE IN THE GATHERING DUSK.
Subject(s): MONUMENTS; ROME, ITALY;

John Keats, if he were living, with sad eyes
Might from his window view the Roman Street
Turned to a bank of flowers where his feet
Wore the gray stones, as under alien skies
He fled familiar beauty. The vendors' cries,
Laughter, and all the bloom that makes earth sweet
Have filled this corner of his last retreat
With liberal loveliness that never dies.
Poor Keats, a cypress shade forever falls
Above your unnamed grave by Severn's side,
No sound, no step, no scent, while rose and musk
Rise to your window in these yellow walls,
And for memorial, at eventide,
Three blind men fiddle in the gathering dusk.



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