Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PARAGRAPHS: 16 by HAYDEN CARRUTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: OF THE RIGHTS OF EACH TO ZERO. NO. I MEAN THE ONLY
Last Line: Thus, living light cast back from a burnt-out star
Subject(s): FREEDOM; NUMBERS; LIBERTY;
of the rights of each to zero. No, I mean the only
kind of liberty that is worthy of the name,
liberty that consists in the full development
of all the material, intellectual, and moral
powers which lie hidden in every person; liberty
which knows no restrictions beyond those
determined by the laws
of our individual natures,
which cannot properly be regarded as restrictions
since they are not imposed,
but are immanent and inherent, forming
the very basis of our material, intellectual,
and moral being -- they do not limit us, they are
the real and immediate conditions of our freedom"
-- Thus, living light cast back from a burnt-out star.


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org


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