Fear not contamination on this earth! The bodies of the Pharoahs have been sold To heal the tissues of the young and old: The ancient dead have more than one re-birth. For poplars and the yew there is no dearth Below of rich, imperishable mold, And this same loam protects the seed from cold Till it becomes the wine of priests and mirth. Whatever is can harm to no man bring, For matter takes ten million lightning shapes That in their clash do but return to dust. So eat your fill of birds that do not sing, Scorn not the armored reptiles and the apes, And run your fingers tenderly through rust. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FRAGMENTS WRITTEN WHILE TRAVELING...A MIDWESTERN HEAT WAVE by JAMES GALVIN THE FRIEND OF HUMANITY AND THE KNIFE-GRINDER by GEORGE CANNING THE BRIDGE: 7. THE TUNNEL by HAROLD HART CRANE POETA FIT, NON NASCITUR by CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON AUSPEX by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1884 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI WHERE GO THE BOATS? by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON FRIAR JEROME'S BEAUTIFUL BOOK; A.D. 1200 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |