Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DESPOTISMS by VIRGINIA STAIT

First Line: I WOULD KNOW NOT THE DESPOTISM
Last Line: NO STITCH THERE MUST BE IN A SHROUD!
Subject(s): TYRANNY & TYRANTS;

I would know not the despotism,
Of moonlight that lies quite unbroken,
In ivories swept of all flame;
Immitigate to the unspoken,
To white for the call of a name.

I would know not the despotism,
Of gold-haunted June, that is lonely,
Because it is done with the past;
That owns not a catafalque, only
This hour it is spending -- to last!

I would know not the despotism,
Of a sky, that is swept of all embers --
Not a mist, nor shadow nor cloud --
That festally clashing, remembers
No stitch there must be in a shroud!



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