Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SEQUENCE OF WOMEN: 3, by JAMES HARRISON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SEQUENCE OF WOMEN: 3, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The girl who was once my mistress
Last Line: Focus to this dark.
Alternate Author Name(s): Harrison, Jim
Subject(s): Death; Loss; Midas; Poetry & Poets; Women; Dead, The


The girl who was once my mistress
is dead now, I learn, in childbirth.
I thought that long ago women ceased
dying this way.

To set records straight, our enmity
relaxes, I wrote a verse for her --
to dole her by pieces, ring finger
and lock of hair.

But I'm a poor Midas to turn her golden,
to make a Helen, grand whore, of this graceless
girl; the sparrow that died was only
a sparrow:

Though in the dark, she doesn't sleep.
On cushions, embraced by silk, no lover
comes to her. In the first light when birds
stir she does not stir or sing. Oh eyes can't
focus to this dark.





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