The perfect swan upon the perfect lake Doubles its heaven in a single look. * * * No wise man can distinguish whore from prude When they're wrapped in the common colors of their pride. * * * Some mask with courage, some with fear; The rich wear power as a beast its fur. * * * The man of conscience or the man of sin -- All shadows take their color from the sun. * * * Who builds his freedom on another's life Must start and tremble when his subjects laugh. * * * When queens of love proclaim their discontent, The courts of lust shall judge the innocent. Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368-0271, www.cc.press.org | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALASKA by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER AUTUMN SONG by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI GRIN by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE THE SURPRISE AT TICONDEROGA [MAY 10, 1775] by MARY ANNA PHINNEY STANSBURY THE TENT ON THE BEACH: 10. THE PALATINE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER PIONEER WOMAN by EVA K. ANGLESBURG |