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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


GEO-BESTIARY: 13 by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: TRY AS YOU MIGHT THERE'S NOTHING
Last Line: THE BROWN WIND-TORMENTED GRASS.

Try as you might there's nothing
you can do about bird shadows
except try to head them off
and abruptly stop, letting them pass
by in peace. Looking up and down
at the very same moment is difficult
for a single-eyed man.
The ones coming behind you,
often cautious crows or ravens,
strike hard against the back and nape nerve.
Like most of life your wariness
is useless. You wobble
slightly dumbstruck, queasy,
then watch the shadow flit across
the brown wind-tormented grass.



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