Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


GHAZALS: 34 by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN SHE WALKED ON HER HANDS AND KNEES IN THE ARAB
Last Line: I SEE MYSELF UPSIDE DOWN CLAWING THE FLOOR.
Subject(s): CHANGE; DREAMS; NIGHTMARES;

When she walked on her hands and knees in the Arab
chamber the fly rod, flies, the river became extinct.

When I fall out of the sky upon you again I'll
feather at the last moment and come in feet first.

There are rotted apples in the clover beneath the fog
and mice invisibly beneath the apples eat them.

There is not enough music. the modal chord I carried
around for weeks is lost for want of an instrument.

In the eye of the turtle and the goldfish and the dog
I see myself upside down clawing the floor.



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