Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HERO by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: FOOL, / PUT YOUR ADVENTURES
Last Line: ROSES FOR YOUR BUTTON-HOLE.
Subject(s): HEROISM; FOOLS;
Fool,
put your adventures
into those things
which break ships --
not female flesh.

Let there pass
over the mind
the waters of
four oceans, the airs
of four skies!

Return hollow-bellied,
keen-eyed, hard!
A simple scar or two.

Little girls will come
bringing you
roses for your button-hole.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net