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Unread 12-25-2010, 07:16 AM
Kevin Corbett Kevin Corbett is offline
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Default Sonnets at Christmas by Allen Tate

I just thought I'd post this, considering it's Christmas. I can't even say how many times I've thought of the lines from these ones. In fact, the second one may be my favorite poem of all time. It's a shame Tate isn't more well known - particularly, its a shame that we as formalists often forget about him (and Ransom to boot) when we think of our forbears.

SONNETS AT CHRISTMAS

(1934)

This is the day His hour of life draws near,
Let me get ready from head to foot for it
Most handily with eyes to pick the year
For small feed to reward a feathered wit.
Some men would see it an epiphany
At ease, at food and drink, others at chase
Yet I, stung lassitude, with ecstasy
Unspent argue the season's difficult case
So: Man, dull critter of enormous head,
What would he look at in the coiling sky?
But I must kneel again unto the Dead
While Christmas bells of paper white and red,
Figured with boys and girls spilt from a sled,
Ring out the silence I am nourished by.

II

Ah, Christ, I love you rings to the wild sky
And I must think a little of the past:
When I was ten I told a stinking lie
That got a black boy whipped; but now at last
The going years, caught in an accurate glow,
Reverse like balls englished upon green baize
Let them return, let the round trumpets blow
The ancient crackle of the Christ's deep gaze.
Deafened and blind, with senses yet unfound,
Am I, untutored to the after-wit
Of knowledge, knowing a nightmare has no sound;
Therefore with idle hands and head I sit
In late December before the fire's daze
Punished by crimes of which I would be quit.

Last edited by Kevin Corbett; 12-25-2010 at 10:55 AM.
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Unread 12-25-2010, 08:06 AM
Janice D. Soderling's Avatar
Janice D. Soderling Janice D. Soderling is offline
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Kevin, Hurrah that you posted this. I couldn't agree more. In fact, all the "Fugitives" should be regarded more. I never fail to find inspiration in their work, though my favorite among them is John Crowe Ransom.

As we look forward to 2011 we should also look into the rearview mirror and discover, or review, these southern gentlemen.
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Unread 12-25-2010, 09:48 AM
Lance Levens Lance Levens is offline
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Huzzah for The Fugitives! Thanks Kevin and Janice.
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