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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AFTER IKKYU: 38 by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHO REMEMBERS WANG CHI, THE REAL HUMAN LIKE
Last Line: BUT IMAGINING MY EARS ARE GILLS, I STILL DIVE THERE AT NIGHT.

Who remembers Wang Chi, "the real human like
multiplied sunlight"? No one, of course,
but his words are a lamp for any fool's feet.
He can't stop you from drowning, but he can keep
you out of the boat. This water's meant for careful wading,
but imagining my ears are gills, I still dive there at night.



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