american poetry - pound, eliot and others
TRANSCRIPT
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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<
"t is enoug tat #e on)e )ame togeter7
Wat i* te #ind a$e turned against te rain<
"t is enoug tat #e on)e )ame togeter7
Time as seen tis( and #ill not turn again7
nd #o are #e( #o &no# tat last intent(
To 'lague to-morro# #it a testament;
The Tree
" stood still and #as a tree amid te #ood(
no#ing te trut o* tings unseen be*ore7
,* 3a'ne and te laurel bo#
nd tat god-*easting )ou'le old
tat gre# elm-oa& amid te #old.
T#as not until te gods ad been
indl% entreated( and been brougt #itin
/nto te eart o* teir earts ome
Tat te% migt do tis #onder ting7
+atless " a$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$er( s'irit o* te sea(
Su**er me not to be se'arated
nd let m% )r% )ome unto Tee.
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RO$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$e te rabbit out o* iding(
To 'lease te %el'ing dogs.
Te ga's " mean(
+o one as seen tem made or eard tem made(
4ut at s'ring mending-time #e *ind tem tere.
" let m% neigbor &no# be%ond te ill7
nd on a da% #e meet to #al& te line
nd set te #all bet#een us on)e again.
We &ee' te #all bet#een us as #e go.
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To ea) te boulders tat a$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(
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,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
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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.
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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
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Page 17 of 22
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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;
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"* 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(
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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#
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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(
http://everything2.com/title/turpentinehttp://everything2.com/title/moonhttp://everything2.com/title/moonhttp://everything2.com/title/yellowhttp://everything2.com/title/bastardhttp://everything2.com/title/moonlighthttp://everything2.com/title/moonhttp://everything2.com/title/yellowhttp://everything2.com/title/bastardhttp://everything2.com/title/moonlighthttp://everything2.com/title/turpentine
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nigger 5o%.I am your son, white man!
little %ello#4astard bo%.