Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE WIND SLEEPERS by HILDA DOOLITTLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHITER / THAN THE CRUST
Last Line: DISCORDS.
Subject(s): BIBLE;

WHITER
than the crust
left by the tide,
we are stung by the hurled sand
and the broken shells.
We no longer sleep
in the wind --
we awoke and fled
through the city gate.
Tear --
tear us an altar,
tug at the cliff-boulders,
pile them with the rough stones --
we no longer
sleep in the wind,
propitiate us.
Chant in a wail
that never halts,
pace a circle and pay tribute
with a song.
When the roar of a dropped wave
breaks into it,
pour meted words
of sea-hawks and gulls
and sea-birds that cry
discords.



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