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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DEER by JOHN DRINKWATER

Poet Analysis

First Line: SHY IN THEIR HERDING DWELL THE FALLOW DEER
Last Line: BEAUTIFUL FLOCKS OF THE MIND.
Subject(s): DEER;

SHY in their herding dwell the fallow deer.
They are spirits of wild sense. Nobody near
Comes upon their pastures. There a life they live,
Of sufficient beauty, phantom, fugitive,
Treading as in jungles free leopards do,
Printless as evelight, instant as dew.
The great kine are patient, and home-coming sheep
Know our bidding. The fallow deer keep
Delicate and far their counsels wild,
Never to be folded reconciled
To the spoiling hand as the poor flocks are:
Lightfoot, and swift, and unfamiliar,
These you may not hinder, unconfined
Beautiful flocks of the mind.



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