Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SWIMMER, by ALEXANDER KINMAN LAING Poet's Biography First Line: His chin cut water Last Line: Was acheron. Subject(s): Death; Drowning; Hades; Swimming & Swimmers; Water; Dead, The; Swimmers | ||||||||
His chin cut water Dry as wind, As he bathed the body That had sinned -- The body that sinned, That had stooped to sup On flesh, and drink From a crimson cup. He bathed his body; But the stain Which he washed away Returned again. White anger whirled In his avid mind At the sins he never Could leave behind. He strove to swim In a frenzied fear, But made no sound For the ear to hear. He strove to swim; But his shoulders bare Cut into water As thin as air. He paused in terror And raised his head, Hearing the moan Of a million dead: The moan that rises When hope is gone. And he knew the river Was Acheron. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...STILL ON WATER by KENNETH REXROTH THE ROUND FISH by ELEANOR WILNER THE SUMMER I WAS SIXTEEN by GERALDINE CONNOLLY THE EXCHANGE by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER WITH KIT, AGE 7, AT THE BEACH by WILLIAM EDGAR STAFFORD THE CASE OF EDGAR ABBOTT AND PHILIP RIDD by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS IN HARBOR (ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND) by ALEXANDER KINMAN LAING |
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