Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LOST LAUGHTER: 1. THIS FRUIT by HALA JEAN HAMMOND

First Line: WHAT FRUIT BEAR YE
Last Line: A GOD'S UNREST!

What fruit bear ye
O Mad Ones? Know
You of the elixir
No vine may grow?

What star see you
O Rapt One -- reach
You for which a god
Alone has speech?

What dream dream you
Of laughter lost,
Heart's drum-beats stilled
As flower to frost?

All life a youth;
All youth desire;
Each breath a flame
Of mounting fire --

This fruit bear ye
O Mad Ones blest
Of godliness --
@3A god's unrest!@1



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