Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CLIFF-TEMPLE: 3 by HILDA DOOLITTLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: SHALL I HURL MYSELF FROM HERE
Last Line: HOW FAR I HAD TO WALK?
Subject(s): BIBLE;

Shall I hurl myself from here,
shall I leap and be nearer you?
Shall I drop, beloved, beloved,
ankle against ankle?
Would you pity me, O white breast?
If I woke, would you pity me,
would our eyes meet?
Have you heard,
do you know how I climbed this rock?
My breath caught, I lurched forward --
I stumbled in the ground-myrtle.
Have you heard, O god seated on the cliff,
how far toward the ledges of your house,
how far I had to walk?



Home: PoetryExplorer.net