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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE TORTOISE IN ETERNITY, by ELINOR WYLIE Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Within my house of patterned horn Last Line: Square on my scornful back. Alternate Author Name(s): Benet, William Rose, Mrs. Subject(s): Turtles; Tortoises | |||
Within my house of patterned horn I sleep in such a bed As men may keep before they're born And after they are dead. Sticks and stones may break their bones, And words may make them bleed: There is not one of them who own An armour to his need. Tougher than hide or lozenged bark Snow-storm and thunder proof, And quick with sun and thick with dark Is this my darling roof. Their troubled dreams of death and birth Pulse mother-o'-pearl to black: I bear the rainbow bubble Earth Square on my scornful back. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GIANT TORTOISE by ANTHONY HECHT THE TURTLE SHRINE NEAR CHITTAGONG by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE THE PHOENIX AND THE TORTOISE by KENNETH REXROTH CLOSING TIME AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO by KAREN SWENSON TO A BOX TURTLE by JOHN UPDIKE BRONZE TRUMPETS AND SEA WATER; ON TURNING LATIN VERSE INTO ENGLISH by ELINOR WYLIE |
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