Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BAN, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Strange dreams of what I used Last Line: Who either pity or despise. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Death; Dreams; Future; Memory; Dead, The; Nightmares | ||||||||
I STRANGE dreams of what I used to be, And what I dreamed I would be, swim Before my vision, faint and dim As misty distances we see In pictured scenes of fairy lands; And ever on, with empty hands, And eyes that ever lie to me, And smiles that no one understands, I grope adown my destiny. II Some say I waver as I walk Along the crowded thoroughfares; And some leer in my eyes, and talk Of dulness, while I see in theirs -- Like fishes' eyes, alive or dead -- But surfaces of vacancy -- Blank disks that never seem to see, But glint and glow and glare instead. III The ragged shawl I wear is wet With driving, dripping rains, and yet It seems a royal raiment, where, Through twisted torrents of my hair, I see rare gems that gleam and shine Like jewels in a stream of wine; The gaping shoes that clothe my feet Are golden sandals, and the shrine Where courtiers grovel and repeat Vain prayers, and where, in joy thereat, A fair Prince doffs his plumed hat, And kneels, and names me all things sweet. IV Sometimes the sun shines, and the lull Of winter noon is like a tune The stars might twinkle to the moon If night were white and beautiful -- For when the clangor of the town And strife of traffic softens down, The wakeful hunger that I nurse, In listening, forgets to curse, Until -- ah, joy! with drooping head I drowse, and dream that I am dead And buried safe beyond their eyes Who either pity or despise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VARIATIONS: 14 by CONRAD AIKEN VARIATIONS: 18 by CONRAD AIKEN LIVE IT THROUGH by DAVID IGNATOW A DREAM OF GAMES by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE DREAM OF WAKING by RANDALL JARRELL APOLOGY FOR BAD DREAMS by ROBINSON JEFFERS GIVE YOUR WISH LIGHT by ROBINSON JEFFERS A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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