Kenneth Patchen Beautiful Poems
- 1. When We Were Here Together
when we were here together in a place we did not know, nor one
another.
A bit of grass held between the teeth for a moment, bright hair on the
wind.
... - 2. The Snow Is Deep On The Ground
The snow is deep on the ground.
Always the light falls
Softly down on the hair of my belovèd.
... - 3. The Artist's Duty
So it is the duty of the artist to discourage all traces of shame
To extend all boundaries
To fog them in right over the plate
To kill only what is ridiculous
... - 4. The Deer And The Snake
The deer is humble, lovely as God made her
I watch her eyes and think of wonder owned
These strange priests enter the cathedral of woods
... - 5. Irkalla's White Caves
I believe that a young woman
Is standing in a circle of lions
In the other side of the sky.
... - 6. There Are Not Many Kingdoms Left
I write the lips of the moon upon her shoulders. In a
temple of silvery farawayness I guard her to rest.
For her bed I write a stillness over all the swans of the
... - 7. Saturday Night In The Parthenon
Tiny green birds skate over the surface of the room.
A naked girl prepares a basin with steaming water,
And in the corner away from the hearth, the red wheels
Of an up-ended chariot slowly turn.
...
