July 1, 1949
To C. T. C.
Genti v’eran con occhi tardi e gravi di frande autorià ne’lor sembianti; avan rado, con voci soavi. From the borders of the swamp I sang, Philosophic family, Sicilian muse, From […]
July 1, 1949
After Leaf-Fall
Bare branches of late autumn reach in patience Toward the torn and raining autumn sky. They hold my torn heart in their waving crotches. Old people, with a fair amount […]
July 1, 1949
Song
Either the world is empty or I am, A whole man sang to the piecemeal sun. I touch her where she hurts and then The smokes on the horizon come. […]
July 1, 1949
The River Road
Riding south with a grey suit man, A salesman out of Oklahoma, I heard the bugs of every town Swarm families of a minstrel summer: The sorrow’s not for one […]
April 1, 1949
As Though It Were a Miracle
As though it were a miracle Oranges on the branches of an orange-tree As though it were a miracle A man approaching As though it were a miracle putting One […]
April 1, 1949
The Song of the Two Snails Who Go to a Burial
Away to a dead leaf’s burial Two snails set off one day In their shells all painted black And crepe wound round their horns They start out through the dark […]
April 1, 1949
The Burden of Everyday
O angel bird, O winged word whom I Have often in my nest of verse’s weaving Detained, before you hurtled back to the sky: May the wind of your wings’ […]
April 1, 1949
Other Master
Lord, you have granted to each his kingdom: In the jungles of Bengal the flaming tiger, The eagle astraddle on the Alpine crystal, The great, hot whale in icy oceans, […]
January 1, 1949
When All the Visitors Are Gone
When all the visitors are goneThe glass shall fall from the window frameWith the reflection of the fireAnd brass and damask thereupon,Also the face of which I tire,And I shall […]
January 1, 1949
If More than Kindness
If more than kindness then no less than love.The crumbs will turn to loaves, the water wine.A better garment then it will behoveBeggars to don, and sit them down to […]
January 1, 1949
From Brooklyn
I came there the first time late at night byLoud subway, wet streets, long stairs to a room Hung for all I knew in nowhere, in Brooklyn, Walled with black […]
January 1, 1949
But Choose
Judgment and cash and health and faith in God go wrong. Venus the queen of love and lovely Mrs. Adams age, Of which men weary. Water gets in behind the […]