Get Your Premium Membership

For The One Who Would Take Mans Life In His Hands

 Tiger Christ unsheathed his sword,
Threw it down, became a lamb.
Swift spat upon the species, but Took two women to his heart.
Samson who was strong as death Paid his strength to kiss a slut.
Othello that stiff warrior Was broken by a woman's heart.
Troy burned for a sea-tax, also for Possession of a charming whore.
What do all examples show? What must the finished murderer know? You cannot sit on bayonets, Nor can you eat among the dead.
When all are killed, you are alone, A vacuum comes where hate has fed.
Murder's fruit is silent stone, The gun increases poverty.
With what do these examples shine? The soldier turned to girls and wine.
Love is the tact of every good, The only warmth, the only peace.
"What have I said?" asked Socrates.
"Affirmed extremes, cried yes and no, Taken all parts, denied myself, Praised the caress, extolled the blow, Soldier and lover quite deranged Until their motions are exchanged.
-What do all examples show? What can any actor know? The contradiction in every act, The infinite task of the human heart.
"

Poem by Delmore Schwartz
Biography | Poems | Best Poems | Short Poems | Quotes | Email Poem - For The One Who Would Take Mans Life In His HandsEmail Poem | Create an image from this poem

Poems are below...



More Poems by Delmore Schwartz

Comments, Analysis, and Meaning on For The One Who Would Take Mans Life In His Hands

Provide your analysis, explanation, meaning, interpretation, and comments on the poem For The One Who Would Take Mans Life In His Hands here.

Commenting turned off, sorry.


Book: Reflection on the Important Things