Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ANIMA URBIS, by EDITH MATILDA THOMAS Poet's Biography First Line: You, city, by two rivers made an isle Last Line: Since I have so loved you -- do you love me? Subject(s): Cities; Life; Love; Nature; Soul; Urban Life | ||||||||
YOU, City, by two rivers made an isle, To whom the sea a tidal tribute pays, What is it in you that could so beguile My heart to leave its love of earlier days Till now its passion seems a fable far, Dissolved and faded with life's morning star? For I am lost and strange unease is mine, If ever I turn back to that old love: Great Nature is no more to me benign, I fear her vacant heavens spread above; The lonely wind-tides drawing through her trees Are sad to me as Sophoclean seas. Your casual glimpses of the stars suffice, Your chary sunsets are of precious sard; Your yearning towers bloom agate as they rise, Where men enskied do work -- and Heaven keep guard! And oftentimes I let my thought take flight Around those shafts half-veiled in misty light. City, I do not know what charm you wield That to my spirit has been subtle balm; From stabbing memories it oft has healed. Your very tumults can my tumults calm. Who speaks of guile, of harm your spells can do? Enchantress City -- I am safe with you! Yes, I have been your lover many years. Like any lover I your praise could sing, For this -- for that -- which so my heart endears. And yet, and yet, beyond each several thing, Like any lover I despair, and say, "It is your soul I've loved so many a day!" Your soul of many souls well mingled up! I sometimes drink it with a giddy joy. And I here pledge you in a loving-cup Service and faith that nothing can destroy. A conscious soul? O City, can it be -- Since I have so loved you -- do you love me? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THINGS (FOR AN INDIAN) TO DO IN NEW YORK (CITY) by SHERMAN ALEXIE THE CITY REVISITED by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: ENTERING THE CITY WITH BLISS-BESTOWING HANDS by LUCILLE CLIFTON THE CITY OF THE OLESHA FRUIT by NORMAN DUBIE DISCOVERING THE PHOTOGRAPH OF LLOYD, EARL, AND PRISCILLA by LYNN EMANUEL MY DIAMOND STUD by ALICE FULTON |
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