american poetry - pound, eliot and others

8/20/2019 American Poetry - Pound, Eliot and Others

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AMERICAN LITERATURE - II

KLEYTON PEREIRA

MODERN POETRY

SUMMARY

Ezra Pound 02

T.S. Eliot 06

Robert Frost 12

William Carlos Williams 16

Langston Huges 1!


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EZRA POUND

POETRY

In Tempore Senectutis

Wen " am old

" #ill not a$e %ou loo& a'art

From me( into te )old(

Friend o* m% eart(

+or be sad in %our remembran)e

,* te )areless( mad-eart semblan)e

Tat te #ind at blo#n a#a%

Wen " am old.

Wen " am old

nd te #ite ot #onder-*ire

/nto te #orld seem )old(

% souls desire

no# %ou ten tat all li*es so#er(

Te rain o* te %ears( tat our

Sall ma&e blo# *or us one *lo#er(

"n)luding all( #en #e are old.

Wen " am old

"* %ou remember

n% lo$e sa$e #at is ten

Heart ligt unto li*es 3e)ember

4e %our 5o% o* 'ast s#eet )ali)es

To &no# ten naugt but tis

Ho# man% #onders are less s#eet

Tan lo$e " bear to tee

Wen " am old.

In the O! A"e o# the Sou

" do not )oose to dream7 tere )omet on me

Some strange old lust *or deeds.

s to te ner$eless and o* some old #arrior

Te s#ord-ilt or te #ar-#orn #onted elmet

4rings momentar% li*e and long-*led )unning(

So to m% soul gro#n old7

8ro#n old #it man% a 5ousting( man% a *ora%(

8ro#n old #it nam% a iter-)oming and en)e-going7

Till no# te% send im dreams and no more deed7

So dot e *lame again #it migt *or a)tion(

Forget*ul o* te )oun)il o* elders(

Forget*ul tat #o rules dot no more battle(

Forget*ul tat su) migt no more )lea$es to im

So dot e *lame again to#ard $aliant doing.

$%%! #or &oom

For 8od( our 8od is a gallant *oe

Tat 'la%et beind te $eil.

" a$e lo$ed m% 8od as a )ild at eart


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Tat see&et dee' bosoms *or rest(

" a$e lo$ed m% 8od as a maid to man9

4ut lo( tis ting is best:

To lo$e %our 8od as a gallant *oe tat 'la%s beind te $eil7

To meet %our 8od as te nigt #inds meet be%ond r)turus 'ale.

" a$e 'la%ed #it 8od *or a #oman(

" a$e sta&ed #it m% 8od *or trut(

" a$e lost to m% 8od as a man( )lear-e%ed9

His di)e be not o* rut.

For " am made as a na&ed blade(

4ut ear %e tis ting in soot:

Wo loset to 8od as man to man

Sall #in at te turn o* te game.

" a$e dra#n m% blade #ere te ligtnings meet

4ut te ending is te same:

Wo loset to 8od as te s#ord blades lose

Sall #in at te end o* te game.

For 8od( our 8od is a gallant *oe tat 'la%et beind te $eil.

Wom 8od deigns not to o$ertro# at need o* tri'le mail.

The Pun"e

" #ould bate m%sel* in strangeness:

Tese )om*orts ea'ed u'on me( smoter me;

" burn( " s)ald so *or te ne#(

+e# *riends( ne# *a)es(

Pla)es;

, to be out o* tis(

Tis tat is all " #anted

- sa$e te ne#.

nd %ou(

Lo$e( %ou te mu)( te more desired;

3o " not loate all #alls( streets( stones(

ll mire( mist( all *og(

ll #a%s o* tra**i)<

=ou( " #old a$e *lo# o$er me li&e #ater(

,( but *ar out o* tis;

8rass( and lo# *ields( and ills(

nd sun(

,( sun enoug;

,ut( and alone( among some

lien 'eo'le;

St%tement o# $ein"

" am a gra$e 'oeti) en

Tat la%s 'oeti) eggs

nd to enan)e m% tem'erament

little >uiet begs.

We ma&e te %ol& 'iloso'%(

True beaut% te albumen.

nd ten gum on a sell o* *orm

To ma&e te s)reed sound uman.


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Siet

Wen " beold o# bla)&( immortal in&

3ri's *rom m% deatless 'en7 a( #ell-a#a%;

W% sould #e sto' at all *or #at " tin&<

Tere is enoug in #at " )an)e to sa%.

"t is enoug tat #e on)e )ame togeter7

Wat is te use o* setting it to rime<

Wen it is autumn do #e get s'ring #eater(

,r gater ma% o* ars nort#indis time<


Wat i* te #ind a$e turned against te rain<


Time as seen tis( and #ill not turn again7

nd #o are #e( #o &no# tat last intent(

To 'lague to-morro# #it a testament;

The Tree

" stood still and #as a tree amid te #ood(

no#ing te trut o* tings unseen be*ore7

,* 3a'ne and te laurel bo#

nd tat god-*easting )ou'le old

tat gre# elm-oa& amid te #old.

T#as not until te gods ad been

indl% entreated( and been brougt #itin

/nto te eart o* teir earts ome

Tat te% migt do tis #onder ting7

+atless " a$e been a tree amid te #ood

nd man% a ne# ting understood

Tat #as ran& *oll% to m% ead be*ore.

A &ir

Te tree as entered m% ands(

Te sa' as as)ended m% arms(

Te tree as gro#n in m% breast-

3o#n#ard(

Te bran)es gro# out o* me( li&e arms.

Tree %ou are(

oss %ou are(

=ou are $iolets #it #ind abo$e tem.

)ild7 so ig7 %ou are(

nd all tis is *oll% to te #orld.

A'%

s )ool as te 'ale #et lea$es

o* lil%-o*-te-$alle%

Se la% beside me in te da#n.


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In A St%tion O# The Metro

Te a''arition o* tese *a)es in te )ro#d7

Petals on a #et( bla)& boug.

An Immor%it(

Sing #e *or lo$e and idleness(

+augt else is #ort te a$ing.

Toug " a$e been in man% a land(

Tere is naugt else in li$ing.

nd " #ould rater a$e m% s#eet(

Toug rose-lea$es die o* grie$ing(

Tan do ig deeds in Hungar%

To 'ass all mens belie$ing.


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T) S) ELIOT

POETRY

Ash *e!nes!%(

"

4e)ause " do not o'e to turn again

4e)ause " do not o'e

4e)ause " do not o'e to turn

3esiring tis mans gi*t and tat mans s)o'e

" no longer stri$e to stri$e to#ards su) tings

?W% sould te ag@d eagle stret) its #ings


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""

Lad%( tree #ite leo'ards sat under a 5uni'er-tree

"n te )ool o* te da%( a$ing *ed to sateit%

,n m% legs m% eart m% li$er and tat #i) ad been

)ontained

"n te ollo# round o* m% s&ull. nd 8od said

Sall tese bones li$e< sall tese

4ones li$e< nd tat #i) ad been )ontained

"n te bones ?#i) #ere alread% dr%A said )ir'ing:

4e)ause o* te goodness o* tis Lad%

nd be)ause o* er lo$eliness( and be)ause

Se onours te irgin in meditation(

We sine #it brigtness. nd " #o am ere dissembled

Pro**er m% deeds to obli$ion( and m% lo$e

To te 'osterit% o* te desert and te *ruit o* te gourd.

"t is tis #i) re)o$ers

% guts te strings o* m% e%es and te indigestible 'ortions

Wi) te leo'ards re5e)t. Te Lad% is #itdra#n

"n a #ite go#n( to )ontem'lation( in a #ite go#n.

Let te #iteness o* bones atone to *orget*ulness.

Tere is no li*e in tem. s " am *orgotten

nd #ould be *orgotten( so " #ould *orget

Tus de$oted( )on)entrated in 'ur'ose. nd 8od said

Pro'es% to te #ind( to te #ind onl% *or onl%

Te #ind #ill listen. nd te bones sang )ir'ing

Wit te burden o* te grasso''er( sa%ing

Lad% o* silen)es

Calm and distressed

Torn and most #ole

Rose o* memor%

Rose o* *orget*ulness

EBausted and li*e-gi$ing

Worried re'ose*ul

Te single Rose

"s no# te 8arden

Were all lo$es end

Terminate torment

,* lo$e unsatis*ied

Te greater torment

,* lo$e satis*ied

End o* te endless

Dourne% to no end

Con)lusion o* all tat

"s in)on)lusible

S'ee) #itout #ord and

Word o* no s'ee)

8ra)e to te oter

For te 8arden

Were all lo$e ends.

/nder a 5uni'er-tree te bones sang( s)attered and sining


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We are glad to be s)attered( #e did little good to ea)

oter(

/nder a tree in te )ool o* da%( #it te blessing o* sand(

Forgetting temsel$es and ea) oter( united

"n te >uiet o* te desert. Tis is te land #i) %e

Sall di$ide b% lot. nd neiter di$ision nor unit%

atters. Tis is te land. We a$e our ineritan)e.

"""

t te *irst turning o* te se)ond stair

" turned and sa# belo#

Te same sa'e t#isted on te banister

/nder te $a'our in te *etid air

Struggling #it te de$il o* te stairs #o #ears

Te de)eitul *a)e o* o'e and o* des'air.

t te se)ond turning o* te se)ond stair

" le*t tem t#isting( turning belo#7

Tere #ere no more *a)es and te stair #as dar&(

3am'( 5agg@d( li&e an old mans mout dri$elling( be%ond

re'air(

,r te tooted gullet o* an ag@d sar&.

t te *irst turning o* te tird stair

Was a slotted #indo# bellied li&e te *igss *ruit

nd be%ond te a#torn blossom and a 'asture s)ene

Te broadba)&ed *igure drest in blue and green

En)anted te ma%time #it an anti>ue *lute.

4lo#n air is s#eet( bro#n air o$er te mout blo#n(

Lila) and bro#n air7

3istra)tion( musi) o* te *lute( sto's and ste's o* te mind

o$er te tird stair(

Fading( *ading7 strengt be%ond o'e and des'air

Climbing te tird stair.

Lord( " am not #ort%

Lord( " am not #ort%

but s'ea& te #ord onl%.

"

Wo #al&ed bet#een te $iolet and te $iolet

We #al&ed bet#een

Te $arious ran&s o* $aried green

8oing in #ite and blue( in ar%s )olour(

Tal&ing o* tri$ial tings

"n ignoran)e and &no#ledge o* eternal dolour

Wo mo$ed among te oters as te% #al&ed(

Wo ten made strong te *ountains and made *res te s'rings

ade )ool te dr% ro)& and made *irm te sand

"n blue o* lar&s'ur( blue o* ar%s )olour(


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So$egna $os

Here are te %ears tat #al& bet#een( bearing

#a% te *iddles and te *lutes( restoring

,ne #o mo$es in te time bet#een slee' and #a&ing( #earing

Wite ligt *olded( seating about er( *olded.

Te ne# %ears #al&( restoring

Troug a brigt )loud o* tears( te %ears( restoring

Wit a ne# $erse te an)ient r%me. Redeem

Te time. Redeem

Te unread $ision in te iger dream

Wile 5e#elled uni)orns dra# b% te gilded earse.

Te silent sister $eiled in #ite and blue

4et#een te %e#s( beind te garden god(

Wose *lute is breatless( bent er ead and signed but s'o&e

no #ord

4ut te *ountain s'rang u' and te bird sang do#n

Redeem te time( redeem te dream

Te to&en o* te #ord uneard( uns'o&en

Till te #ind sa&e a tousand #is'ers *rom te %e#

nd a*ter tis our eBile

"* te lost #ord is lost( i* te s'ent #ord is s'ent

"* te uneard( uns'o&en

Word is uns'o&en( uneard7

Still is te uns'o&en #ord( te Word uneard(

Te Word #itout a #ord( te Word #itin

Te #orld and *or te #orld7

nd te ligt sone in dar&ness and

gainst te Word te unstilled #orld still #irled

bout te )entre o* te silent Word.

, m% 'eo'le( #at a$e " done unto tee.

Were sall te #ord be *ound( #ere #ill te #ord

Resound< +ot ere( tere is not enoug silen)e

+ot on te sea or on te islands( not

,n te mainland( in te desert or te rain land(

For tose #o #al& in dar&ness

4ot in te da% time and in te nigt time

Te rigt time and te rigt 'la)e are not ere

+o 'la)e o* gra)e *or tose #o a$oid te *a)e

+o time to re5oi)e *or tose #o #al& among noise and den%

te $oi)e

Will te $eiled sister 'ra% *or


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Tose #o #al& in dar&ness( #o )ose tee and o''ose tee(

Tose #o are torn on te orn bet#een season and season(

time and time( bet#een

Hour and our( #ord and #ord( 'o#er and 'o#er( tose #o #ait

"n dar&ness< Will te $eiled sister 'ra%

For )ildren at te gate

Wo #ill not go a#a% and )annot 'ra%:

Pra% *or tose #o )ose and o''ose

, m% 'eo'le( #at a$e " done unto tee.

Will te $eiled sister bet#een te slender

=e# trees 'ra% *or tose #o o**end er

nd are terri*ied and )annot surrender

nd a**irm be*ore te #orld and den% bet#een te ro)&s

"n te last desert be*ore te last blue ro)&s

Te desert in te garden te garden in te desert

,* drout( s'itting *rom te mout te #itered a''le-seed.

, m% 'eo'le.

"

ltoug " do not o'e to turn again

ltoug " do not o'e

ltoug " do not o'e to turn

Wa$ering bet#een te 'ro*it and te loss

"n tis brie* transit #ere te dreams )ross

Te dream)rossed t#iligt bet#een birt and d%ing

?4less me *aterA toug " do not #is to #is tese tings

From te #ide #indo# to#ards te granite sore

Te #ite sails still *l% sea#ard( sea#ard *l%ing

/nbro&en #ings

nd te lost eart sti**ens and re5oi)es

"n te lost lila) and te lost sea $oi)es

nd te #ea& s'irit >ui)&ens to rebel

For te bent golden-rod and te lost sea smell

ui)&ens to re)o$er

Te )r% o* >uail and te #irling 'lo$er

nd te blind e%e )reates

Te em't% *orms bet#een te i$or% gates

nd smell rene#s te salt sa$our o* te sand% eart

Tis is te time o* tension bet#een d%ing and birt

Te 'la)e o* solitude #ere tree dreams )ross

4et#een blue ro)&s

4ut #en te $oi)es sa&en *rom te %e#-tree dri*t a#a%

Let te oter %e# be sa&en and re'l%.

4less@d sister( ol% moter( s'irit o* te *ountain( s'irit

o* te garden(


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Su**er us not to mo)& oursel$es #it *alseood

Tea) us to )are and not to )are

Tea) us to sit still

E$en among tese ro)&s(

,ur 'ea)e in His #ill

nd e$en among tese ro)&s

Sister( moter

nd s'irit o* te ri$er( s'irit o* te sea(

Su**er me not to be se'arated

nd let m% )r% )ome unto Tee.


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Page 12 of 22

RO$ERT +ROST

POETRY

The Ro%! Not T%,en

TW, roads di$erged in a %ello# #ood(

nd sorr% " )ould not tra$el bot

nd be one tra$eler( long " stood

nd loo&ed do#n one as *ar as " )ould

To #ere it bent in te undergro#t7

Ten too& te oter( as 5ust as *air(

nd a$ing 'era's te better )laim

4e)ause it #as grass% and #anted #ear7

Toug as *or tat( te 'assing tere

Had #orn tem reall% about te same(

nd bot tat morning e>uall% la%

"n lea$es no ste' ad trodden bla)&.

,( " mar&ed te *irst *or anoter da%;

=et &no#ing o# #a% leads on to #a%

" doubted i* " sould e$er )ome ba)&.

" sall be telling tis #it a sig

Some#ere ages and ages en)e:

T#o roads di$erged in a #ood( and "(

" too& te one less tra$eled b%(

nd tat as made all te di**eren)e.

Men!in" *%

Someting tere is tat doesnt lo$e a #all(

Tat sends te *rozen-ground-s#ell under it(

nd s'ills te u''er boulders in te sun7

nd ma&es ga's e$en t#o )an 'ass abreast.

Te #or& o* unters is anoter ting:

" a$e )ome a*ter tem and made re'air

Were te% a$e le*t not one stone on a stone(

4ut te% #ould a$e te rabbit out o* iding(

To 'lease te %el'ing dogs.

Te ga's " mean(

+o one as seen tem made or eard tem made(

4ut at s'ring mending-time #e *ind tem tere.

" let m% neigbor &no# be%ond te ill7

nd on a da% #e meet to #al& te line

nd set te #all bet#een us on)e again.

We &ee' te #all bet#een us as #e go.


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Page 13 of 22

To ea) te boulders tat a$e *allen to ea).

nd some are loa$es and some so nearl% balls

We a$e to use a s'ell to ma&e tem balan)e:

Sta% #ere %ou are until our ba)&s are turned;

We #ear our *ingers roug #it andling tem.

,( 5ust anoter &ind o* outdoor game(

,ne on a side.

"t )omes to little more:

Tere #ere it is #e do not need te #all:

He is all 'ine and " am a''le or)ard.

% a''le trees #ill ne$er get a)ross

nd eat te )ones under is 'ines( " tell im.

He onl% sa%s( 8ood *en)es ma&e good neigbors.

S'ring is te mis)ie* in me( and " #onder

"* " )ould 'ut a notion in is ead:

W% do te% ma&e good neigbors< "snt it

Were tere are )o#s< 4ut ere tere are no )o#s.

4e*ore " built a #all "d as& to &no#

Wat " #as #alling in or #alling out(

nd to #om " #as li&e to gi$e o**ense.

Someting tere is tat doesnt lo$e a #all(

Tat #ants it do#n.

" )ould sa% El$es to im(

4ut its not el$es eBa)tl%( and "d rater

He said it *or imsel*.

" see im tere

4ringing a stone gras'ed *irml% b% te to'

"n ea) and( li&e an old-stone sa$age armed.

He mo$es in dar&ness as it seems to me(

+ot o* #oods onl% and te sade o* trees.

He #ill not go beind is *aters sa%ing(

nd e li&es a$ing tougt o* it so #ell

He sa%s again( 8ood *en)es ma&e good neigbors.

St%rs

Ho# )ountlessl% te% )ongregate

,er our tumultuous sno#(

Wi) *lo#s in sa'es as tall as trees

Wen #intr% #inds do blo#;--

s i* #it &eeness *or our *ate(


14/22

Page 14 of 22

,ur *altering *e# ste's on

To #ite rest( and a 'la)e o* rest

"n$isible at da#n(--

nd %et #it neiter lo$e nor ate(

Tose starts li&e som# sno#-#ite

iner$as sno#-#ite marble e%es

Witout te gi*t o* sigt.

A Time to T%,

Wen a *riend )alls to me *rom te road

nd slo#s is orse to a meaning #al&(

" dont stand still and loo& around

,n all te ills " a$ent oed(

nd sout *rom #ere " am( Wat is it


15/22

Page 15 of 22

His ouse is in te $illage( toug7

He #ill not see me sto''ing ere

To #at) is #oods *ill u' #it sno#.

% little orse must tin& it >ueer

To sto' #itout a *armouse near

4et#een te #oods and *rozen la&e

Te dar&est e$ening o* te %ear.

He gi$es is arness bells a sa&e

To as& i* tere is some mista&e.

Te onl% oter sounds te s#ee'

,* eas% #ind and do#n% *la&e.

Te #oods are lo$el%( dar& and dee'(

4ut " a$e 'romises to &ee'(

nd miles to go be*ore " slee'(

nd miles to go be*ore " slee'.

*ILLIAM CARLOS *ILLIAMS

POETRY

The De#ecti.e Recor!

Cut te ban& *or te *ill.

3um' sand

'um'ed out o* te ri$er

into te old s#ale

&illing #ate$er #as

tere be*ore9in)luding

e$en te mus&rats. Wo did it<

Teres te gu%.

Him in te blue sirt and

tur>uoise s&ull)a'.

Le$el it do#n

*or im to build a ouse

on to build a

ouse on to build a ouse on

to build a ouse

on to build a ouse on to . . .

The Uses O# Poetr(

"$e *ond anti)i'ation o* a da%

,er*illed #it 'ure di$ersion'resentl%(

For " must read a lad% 'oes%

Te #ile #e glide b% man% alea*% ba%(

Hid dee' in ruses( #ere atrandom 'la%

Te gloss% bla)& #inged a%-*lies( or #en)e *lee

Hus-troated nestlings inalarm(

Wom #e a$e idl% *rigted #itour boats long s#a%.

For( lest oersaddened b% su)#oes as s'ring

To rural 'ea)e *rom our mee&on#ard trend(

Wat else more *it< Well dra#te lat)-string

nd )lose te door o* sense7ten satiate #end(

,n 'oes%s trans*orming giant#ing(

To #orlds a*ar #ose *ruits allanguis mend.


16/22

Page 16 of 22

The Sou"hin" *in!

Some lea$es ang late( some*all

be*ore te *irst *rost9so goes

te tale o* #inter bran)es andold bones.

CompeteDestruction

"t #as an i)% da%.

We buried te )at(

ten too& er boB

and set *ire to it

in te ba)& %ard.

Tose *leas tates)a'ed

eart and *ire

died b% te )old.

Appro%ch O#*inter

Te al*-stri''edtrees

stru)& b% a #indtogeter(

bending all(

te lea$es *lutterdril%

and re*use to letgo

or dri$en li&e ail

stream bitterl% outto one side

and *all

#ere te sal$ias(ard )armine9

li&e no lea* tat

e$er #as9edge te baregarden.

The Deso%te+ie!

ast and gre%( te

s&% is a simula)rum

to all but im#ose da%s

are $ast and gre%and9

"n te tall( driedgrasses

a goat stirs

#it nozzlesear)ing teground.

% ead is in teair

but #o am" . . . <

—and m% eartsto's amazed

at te tougt o*lo$e

$ast and gre%

%earning silentl%o$er me.

The Poem

"ts all in

te sound. song.

Seldom a song. "tsould

be a song9madeo*

'arti)ulars(#as's(

a gentian9someting

immediate( o'en

s)issors( a lad%s

e%es9#a&ing

)entri*ugal(

)entri'etal.

This Is /ust ToS%(

" a$e eaten

te 'lums

tat #ere in

te i)eboB

and #i)

%ou #ere 'robabl%

sa$ing

*or brea&*ast

Forgi$e me

te% #eredeli)ious

so s#eet

and so )old

The Re!*hee'%rro

so mu) de'ends

u'on

a red #eel barro#

glazed #it rain

#ater

beside te #ite

)i)&ens.

Poem ?s te )atA

s te )at

)limbed o$er

te to' o*

te 5am)loset

*irst te rigt

*ore*oot

)are*ull%

ten te ind

ste''ed do#n

into te 'it o*

te em't%

*lo#er'ot


17/22

Page 17 of 22


18/22

LAN&STON 0U&0ES

POETRY

/ustice

Tat Dusti)e is a blind goddess

"s a ting to #i) #e bla)& are #ise:

Her bandage ides t#o *estering sores

Tat on)e 'era's #ere e%es.

Dre%m De#erre!

Wat a''ens to a dream de*erred<

3oes it dr% u'

Li&e a raisin in te sun<

,r *ester li&e a sore--

nd ten run<

3oes it stin& li&e rotten meat<

,r )rust and sugar o$er--

li&e a s%ru'% s#eet<

a%be it 5ust sags

li&e a ea$% load.

,r does it eB'lode<

Li#e Is +ine

" #ent do#n to te ri$er(

" set do#n on te ban&.

" tried to tin& but )ouldnt(

So " 5um'ed in and san&.

" )ame u' on)e and ollered;

" )ame u' t#i)e and )ried;

"* tat #ater adnt a-been so )old

" migt$e sun& and died.

4ut it #as Cold in tat #ater; "t #as )old;

" too& te ele$ator

SiBteen *loors abo$e te ground.

" tougt about m% bab%

nd tougt " #ould 5um' do#n.

" stood tere and " ollered;

" stood tere and " )ried;


19/22

"* it adnt a-been so ig

" migt$e 5um'ed and died.

4ut it #as Hig u' tere; "t #as ig;

So sin)e "m still ere li$in(

" guess " #ill li$e on.

" )ould$e died *or lo$e--

4ut *or li$in " #as born

Toug %ou ma% ear me oller(

nd %ou ma% see me )r%--

"ll be dogged( s#eet bab%(

"* %ou gonna see me die.

Li*e is *ine; Fine as #ine; Li*e is *ine;

I Too Sin" Americ%

"( too( sing meri)a.

" am te dar&er broter.

Te% send me to eat in te &it)en

Wen )om'an% )omes(

4ut " laug(

nd eat #ell(

nd gro# strong.

Tomorro#(

"ll be at te table

Wen )om'an% )omes.

+obod%ll dare

Sa% to me(

Eat in te &it)en(

Ten.

4esides(

Te%ll see o# beauti*ul " am

nd be asamed--

"( too( am meri)a.

Sti 0ere

" been s)ared and battered.

% o'es te #ind done s)attered.

Sno# as *riz me(

Sun as ba&ed me(


20/22

Loo&s li&e bet#een em te% done

Tried to ma&e me

Sto' laugin( sto' lo$in( sto' li$in--

4ut " dont )are;

"m still ere;

The $ues

Wen te soe strings brea&

,n bot %our soes

nd %oure in a urr%-

Tats te blues.

Wen %ou go to bu% a )and% bar

nd %ou$e lost te dime %ou ad-

Sli''ed troug a ole in %our 'o)&et some#ere-

Tats te blues( too( and bad;

The Ne"ro Spe%,s O# Ri.ers

"$e &no#n ri$ers:

"$e &no#n ri$ers an)ient as te #orld and older tan te

*lo# o* uman blood in uman $eins.

% soul as gro#n dee' li&e te ri$ers.

" bated in te Eu'rates #en da#ns #ere %oung.

" built m% ut near te Congo and it lulled me to slee'.

" loo&ed u'on te +ile and raised te '%ramids abo$e it.

" eard te singing o* te ississi''i #en be Lin)oln

#ent do#n to +e# ,rleans( and "$e seen its mudd%

bosom turn all golden in te sunset.

"$e &no#n ri$ers:

n)ient( dus&% ri$ers.

% soul as gro#n dee' li&e te ri$ers.

Mother to Son

Well( son( "ll tell %ou:

Li*e *or me aint been no )r%stal stair.

"ts ad ta)&s in it(

nd s'linters(

nd boards torn u'(

nd 'la)es #it no )ar'et on te *loor

4are.

4ut all te time

"se been a-)limbin on(

nd rea)in landins(

nd turnin )orners(

nd sometimes goin in te dar&

Were tere aint been no ligt.

So( bo%( dont %ou turn ba)&.

3ont %ou set do#n on te ste's.

Cause %ou *inds its &inder ard.

3ont %ou *all no#


21/22

For "se still goin( one%(

"se still )limbin(

nd li*e *or me aint been no )r%stal stair.

Mu%tto

I am your son, white man!

8eorgia dus& nd te tur'entine #oods.,ne o* te 'illars o* te tem'le *ell.

You are my son! Like hell!

Te moon o$er te tur'entine #oods.Te Soutern nigtFull o* stars8reat big %ello# stars.

Wats a bod% but a to%<

Dui)% bodies

,* nigger #en)es

4lue bla)&

gainst bla)& *en)es

,( %ou little bastard bo%(

Wats a bod% but a to%<

Te s)ent o* 'ine #ood stings te so*t nigt air.What's the body of your mother?

Sil$er moonligt e$er%#ere.What's the body of your mother?

Sar' 'ine s)ent in te e$ening air. nigger nigt(

nigger 5o%(

little %ello#

4astard bo%.Naw, you ain't my brother.Niggers ain't my brother.

Not ever.

Nigger's ain't my brother.

Te Soutern nigt is *ull o* stars(8reat big %ello# stars.

,( s#eet as eart(

3us& dar& bodies

8i$e s#eet birt

To little %ello# bastard bo%s.

it on bak there in the night,You ain't white.

Te brigt stars s)atter e$er%#ere.Pine #ood s)ent in te e$ening air.

nigger nigt(

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22/22

nigger 5o%.I am your son, white man!

little %ello#4astard bo%.

american poetry - pound, eliot and others

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