Poem: “Orientale IV” by Edward Estlin Cummings

Tulips and Chimneys – 1923

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American Literature – American Poetry – Edward Estlin Cummings – Poems by Edward Estlin Cummings – Tulips and Chimneys – 1923

< < < Orientale III
Orientale V > > >

Orientale IV

listen
beloved
i dreamed
it appeared that you thought to
escape me and became a great
lily atilt on
insolent
watersbut i was aware of
fragrance and i came riding upon
a horse of porphyry into the
waters i rode down the red
horse shreiking from splintering
foam caught you clutched you upon my
mouth
listen
beloved
i dreamed in my dream you had
desire to thwart me and became
a little bird and hid
in a tree of tall marble
from a great way i distinguished
singing and i came
riding upon a scarlet sunset
trampling the night easily
from the shocked impossible
tower i caught
you strained you
broke you upon my blood
listen
beloved i dreamed
i thought you would have deceived
me and became a star in the kingdom
of heaven
through day and space i saw you close
your eyes and i came riding
upon a thousand crimson years arched with agony
i reined them in tottering before
the throne and as
they shied at the automaton moon from
the transplendent hand of sombre god
i picked you
as an apple is picked by the little peasants for their girls

< < < Orientale III
Orientale V > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Edward Estlin Cummings – Poems by Edward Estlin Cummings – Tulips and Chimneys – 1923

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Tulips and Chimneys – 1923

Orientale IV

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