In Memoriam Paul Celan Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCD EFGH ECIJ KLHM NOPH| Lay these words into the dead man's grave | A |
| next to the almonds and black cherries | B |
| tiny skulls and flowering blood drops eyes | C |
| and Thou O bitterness that pillows his head | D |
| - | |
| Lay these words on the dead man's eyelids | E |
| like eyebrights like medieval trumpet flowers | F |
| that will flourish this time in the shade | G |
| Let the beheaded tulips glisten with rain | H |
| - | |
| Lay these words on his drowned eyelids | E |
| like coins or stars ancillary eyes | C |
| Canopy the swollen sky with sunspots | I |
| while thunder addresses the ground | J |
| - | |
| Syllable by syllable clawed and handled | K |
| the words have united in grief | L |
| It is the ghostly hour of lamentation | H |
| the void's turn mournful and absolute | M |
| - | |
| Lay these words on the dead man's lips | N |
| like burning tongs a tongue of flame | O |
| A scouring eagle wheels and shrieks | P |
| Let God pray to us for this man | H |
Edward Hirsch
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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