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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


BUCOLIC COMEDY: GARDENER JANUS CATCHES A NAIAD by EDITH SITWELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: BASKETS OF RIPE FRUIT IN AIR
Last Line: QUICK AS THESE.
Subject(s): GARDENS & GARDENING;

BASKETS of ripe fruit in air
The bird-songs seem, suspended where

Between the hairy leaves trills dew,
All tasting of fresh green anew.

Ma'am, I've heard your laughter flare
Through your waspish-gilded hair:

Feathered masks,
Pots of peas,
Janus asks
Naught of these,
Creaking water
Brightly striped,
Now I've caught her --
Shrieking biped.
Flute sounds jump
And turn together,
Changing clumps
Of glassy feather.
In among the
Pots of peas
Naiad changes --
Quick as these.



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