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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO A GENTLEMAN REFORMER, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Keep it - your torn and rotting decency Last Line: Of life: so frankly carnal -- and so clean. Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael | |||
Keep it -- your torn and rotting decency, Your antique toga with its quaint misfit. Keep it -- the world has little use for it, Or swaddled truths too bashful to be free. This is no age for sick humility, Or queasy goodness without strength enough To dare the keen and hungry edge of love, Or Fear that wraps itself in chastity. Hide in its crumbling folds. How should you know That virtue may be dirty and can grow Furtive and festering in a mind obscene. How should you know the world's glad, vulgar heart, The sensual health that is the richest part Of Life: so frankly carnal -- and so clean. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A VOICE FROM THE SWEAT-SHOPS (A HYMN WITH RESPONSES) by LOUIS UNTERMEYER AFFIRMATION by LOUIS UNTERMEYER AT KENNEBUNKPORT by LOUIS UNTERMEYER AUCTION: ANDERSON GALLERIES by LOUIS UNTERMEYER AUTUMN DIALOGUE by LOUIS UNTERMEYER BATTLE HYMN OF THE RUSSIAN REPUBLIC by LOUIS UNTERMEYER BATTLE-CRIES by LOUIS UNTERMEYER CHILD AND HER STATUE by LOUIS UNTERMEYER COUNTRY SCHOOLROOM, ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS by LOUIS UNTERMEYER |
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