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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


GHAZALS: 57 by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: I THOUGHT IT WAS NIGHT BUT FOUND OUT THE WINDOWS WERE PAINTED
Last Line: WERE WHAT I TRULY WANTED. SO MUCH SILENCE AND SO MANY WORDS.
Subject(s): DREAMS; IMAGINARY CONVERSATIONS; REGRET; NIGHTMARES;

I thought it was night but found out the windows were painted
black and a bluebird bigger than a child's head was singing.

When we get out of Nam the pilot said we'll go down to S.A.
and kick the shit outta those commie greasers. Of course.

In sleepwalking all year long I grew cataracts, white-haired,
flesh fattened, texture of mushrooms, whistled notes at moon.

After seven hours of television and a quart of vodka he wept
over the National Anthem. O America Carcinoma the eagle dead.

Celebrate her with psalms and new songs -- she'll be fifteen
tomorrow, a classic beauty who won't trouble her mind with poems.

I wanted to drag a few words out of silence then sleep and none
were what I truly wanted. So much silence and so many words.



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