EXPERIMENTS IN VERS LIBRE
Reading edition
I
Not curled into rose leaves Or twisted into fantastic patterns of beauty ... Out of my joy in the Earth, Out of my sorrow for men, Out of the love which I bore to one and another Come these rough nuggets. Take them—they are all I can give you! Take, and make of them whatsoever you will, You who have skill, And you also who have none. Hold them in sunlight and moonlight Till they shine back, Ponder also the dark Earth wherefrom they came!
II
He who lies dead was my father. Degradation has befallen his flesh. Why? O, why? The palace is fouled. The king insulted, crucified, and abandoned. The slaves have fled. And so, after certain days, you And I too shall lie. The pride Shall pass. Our mouths shall never kiss Nor our strong arms embrace ... We too, we too shall die.
III
Lust spoils the sunlight And narrows the day; Love widens Time to Eternity which alone can hold it!