Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TRIBUTE: 1 by HILDA DOOLITTLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: SQUALOR SPREADS ITS HIDEOUS LENGTH
Last Line: OFFER REFUSE FOR MEAT.
Subject(s): BIBLE; POVERTY; SOCIAL PROTEST;
Squalor spreads its hideous length
through the carts and the asses' feet,
squalor coils and reopens
and creeps under barrow
and heap of refuse
and the broken sherds
of the market-place --
it lengthens and coils
and uncoils and draws back
and recoils
through the crooked streets.

Squalor blights and makes hideous
our lives -- it has smothered
the beat of our songs,
and our hearts are spread out,
flowers -- opened but to receive
the wheel of the cart,
the hoof of the ox,
to be trod of the sheep.

Squalor spreads its hideous length
through the carts and the asses' feet --
squalor has entered and taken our songs
and we haggle and cheat,
praise fabrics worn threadbare,
ring false coin for silver,
offer refuse for meat.



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