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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ESCAPE by JANIE SMITH RHYNE

First Line: WHEN DEATH HAD OGLED ME FOR HOURS
Last Line: A HOYDEN SUCH AS I!
Subject(s): DEATH; DEAD, THE;

When Death had ogled me for hours
Across my neighbor's bier,
I raced in panic everywhere
To dodge his ghoulish leer.

But, panting down a sunrise slope,
I let my heart be caught
In morning-glory loveliness,
Entangling steps and thought.

I dallied there; for children througed,
Cajoling me to play,
And pressed their bodies close to me
In reel and roundelay.

And hours -- or maybe years -- rolled on,
And Death went raging by,
Nor dreamed the prey he sought could be
A hoyden such as I!



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