Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A POE-'EM OF PASSION, by CHARLES FLETCHER LUMMIS Poet's Biography First Line: It was many and many a year ago Last Line: In her solemn sepulcher, me. Variant Title(s): Cannibalee Subject(s): Cannibals; Graves; Love; Passion; Tombs; Tombstones | ||||||||
IT was many and many a year ago, On an island near the sea, That a maiden lived whom you mightn't know By the name of Cannibalee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than a passionate fondness for me. I was a child, and she was a child -- Tho' her tastes were adult Feejee -- But she loved with a love that was more than love, My yearning Cannibalee; With a love that could take me roast or fried Or raw, as the case might be. And that is the reason that long ago, In that island near the sea, I had to turn the tables and eat My ardent Cannibalee -- Not really because I was fond of her, But to check her fondness for me. But the stars never rise but I think of the size Of my hot-potted Cannibalee, And the moon never stares but it brings me nightmares Of my spare-rib Cannibalee; And all the night-tide she is restless inside, Is my still indigestible dinner-belle bride, In her pallid tomb, which is Me, In her solemn sepulcher, Me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SUBJECTED EARTH by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE GRAVE OF MRS. HEMANS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER THOSE GRAVES IN ROME by LARRY LEVIS NOT TO BE DWELLED ON by HEATHER MCHUGH ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON ETRUSCAN TOMB by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL IN THE MOJAVE by CHARLES FLETCHER LUMMIS |
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