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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 2. HEAT by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER

First Line: AS IF THE SUN HAD TRODDEN DOWN THE SKY
Last Line: WHEREON THE SUN HANGS MOTIONLESS, A BRASSY DISC OF FLAME.
Subject(s): MISSISSIPPI RIVER; RIVERS;

As if the sun had trodden down the sky,
Until no more it holds living air, but only humid vapour,
Heat pressing upon earth with irresistible langour,
Turns all the solid forest into half-liquid smudge.

The heavy clouds like cargo-boats strain slowly against its current;
And the flickering of the haze is like the thunder of ten
thousand paddles
Against the heavy wall of the horizon, pale-blue and utterly windless,
Whereon the sun hangs motionless, a brassy disc of flame.



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