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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TWO LIVES. PART 2: 13 by WILLIAM ELLERY LEONARD

First Line: NO! MAD? NOT I! BUT SUBTLE ANALYST
Last Line: UNFOLDED TO THE UTTERMOST. . . THEN LIST:

No! Mad? Not I! But subtle analyst
Even in my grief; yet for a moment borne
On to sardonic laughter of a grim scorn
Against the everlasting Ironist! --
But feel the even blood-beat on my wrist
With your enquiring thumb -- am I not calm,
Again as you? Press on my brow your palm --
Where is the fever? Smite with knuckled fist
Against my crossed leg at the swinging knee --
My nerves are steady, good neurologist, --
And with firm art's supreme austerity,
I still can draw the face I once had kissed. . .
Can still report the voice. . . The tale shall be
Unfolded to the uttermost. . . Then list:



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