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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AFTER IKKYU: 45 by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SOUND OF THE DOGS PAWSTEPS MOVE AWAY
Last Line: TO THE BRUTALITY OF CLOCKS. LISTEN TO THE ALARM. WAKE UP.

The sound of the dog's pawsteps move away
at the precise speed of his shadow. Nothing is blurred.
The bullet tumbled toward the girl's head at 1250 feet
per second. She wasn't the president, you say,
too young for politics. Despite theological gooseshit
the gods don't keep time in light-years. We're slowed
to the brutality of clocks. Listen to the alarm. Wake up.



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