Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SILVER PLOUGH-BOY by WALLACE STEVENS

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: A BLACK FIGURE DANCES IN A BLACK FIELD
Last Line: How softly the sheet falls to the ground!
Subject(s): PLOWING & PLOWMEN;

A black figure dances in a black field.
A black figure dances in a black field.
It seizes a sheet-from the ground, from a bush-as if spread there by some washwoman
It seizes a sheet-from the ground, from a bush-as if spread there by some washwoman
for the night.
for the night.
It wraps the sheet around its body, until the black figure
It wraps the sheet around its body, until the black figure
is silver.
is silver.
It dances down a furrow, in the early light, back of
It dances down a furrow, in the early light, back of
a crazy plough, the green blades following.
a crazy plough, the green blades following.
How soon the silver fades in the dust ! How soon the
How soon the silver fades in the dust ! How soon the
black figure slips from the wrinkled sheet How
black figure slips from the wrinkled sheet How
softly the sheet falls to the ground !
softly the sheet falls to the ground !




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