Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A CREOLE TRIPTYCH: 2. THE PLAINSMAN by JOSE SANTOS CHOCANO

First Line: IN HIS BRONZE FACE A SOMETHING SOMBRE SHOWS
Last Line: LIKE SOME LIGHT RAINBOW O'ER THE CATARACTS.
Subject(s): LABOR & LABORERS; PRAIRIES; WORK; WORKERS; PLAINS;

IN his bronze face a something sombre shows,
Perhaps the effect of distances that spread
In oceans of pure verdure round his shed.
Toiling he marks his furrow holdings close;
Beneath his kindly hand his harvest grows;
He breaks his foal and bits him where he fed
Upon the plain; and by some trifle led,
Plunges in midstream where the torrent flows.

A single blow and a great bull lies low;
Across the thicket his @3machete@1 tears,
And so to love with singing does he go;
For love of woman on his spirit acts,
And on his savage nature radiance bears,
Like some light rainbow o'er the cataracts.



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