Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AFTER IKKYU: 28 by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: LIN-CHI SAYS, HAVING THROWN AWAY YOUR HEAD SO LONG
Last Line: WHY DOES SHE STILL SWIM IN THE EDDY IN THE RIVER'S BEND?
Subject(s): MEMORY;
Lin-chi says, having thrown away your head so long
ago, you go on and on looking for it in the wrong
places. The head's future can be studied in a spadeful
of dirt. The delightful girl I loved 40 years back
now weighs, according to necrologists, 30 lbs. net.
Why does she still swim in the eddy in the river's bend?



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