Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


COMPLAINT by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: SONG, I AM UNUSED TO YOU
Last Line: I WOULD NOT BETRAY YOU.
Subject(s): BETRAYAL; FORGETFULNESS; SINGING & SINGERS; SONGS;

Song, I am unused to you -
When you come
your voice is behind trees
calling another by my name.

So little of me comes out to you
I cannot hold your weight -
I bury you in sleep
or pour more wine, or lost in another's
music, I forget that you ever spoke.

If you come again, come with
Elias! Elias! Elias!
If only once the summons were a roar,
a pillar of light,
I would not betray you.



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