PoemHunter.com

Burning Oneself Out by Adrienne Rich

5/16/2008 12:31:16 PM
Home Poets Poems Lyrics Quotations Music Forum Search Member Area Poetry E-Books Sites Mini Quiz
 

POEMS

LYRICS

MUSIC

QUOTATIONS

SEARCH

   
Adrienne Rich
   Poems  Quotations  Comments  More Info  Stats  [message to the poet] 

 
 
<< prev. poem Poems by Adrienne Rich: 3 / 32 next poem >>
  
 
Burning Oneself Out
 
  We can look into the stove tonight
as into a mirror, yes,

the serrated log, the yellow-blue gaseous core

the crimson-flittered grey ash, yes.
I know inside my eyelids
and underneath my skin

Time takes hold of us like a draft
upward, drawing at the heats
in the belly, in the brain

You told me of setting your hand
into the print of a long-dead Indian
and for a moment, I knew that hand,

that print, that rock,
the sun producing powerful dreams
A word can do this

or, as tonight, the mirror of the fire
of my mind, burning as if it could go on
burning itself, burning down

feeding on everything
till there is nothing in life
that has not fed that fire

Adrienne Rich


Read poems about / on: mirror, fire, sun, time, life, dream

#183
in Top500
 

User Rating:

8.8 /10
(11 votes)



 
Comments about this poem (Burning Oneself Out by Adrienne Rich)  more comments >>
Click here to write your comments about this poem (Burning Oneself Out by Adrienne Rich)
 
Joanna Porter (12/4/2007 11:28:00 AM)
AMAZING! ! ! !
please look for joanna porter!
you are brilliant- be my mum.
you have replaced carol ann duffy on my list....
Tony Jennett (11/7/2005 6:02:00 PM)
Dare I refer you to my poem 'A muse whispers'?

Read all 3 comments >>
People who read Adrienne Rich also read: Classic poets in PoemHunter.Com:

The complete list >>

Lyrics

The complete list >>

QuickPoll
Do you think PoemHunter.com is fast enough?
Yes
No

 Search in the World Poetry Database => 

 Search:   in:      tips
Hide the search box!

E-MAIL THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND - Found this page interesting? Recommend it to your friend! 
 Your E-mail:  
 Friend's Email:  
   
Your
Message:

 

(c) Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge..  About Us | Copyright notice | Privacy statement | Help
5/16/2008 12:31:16 PM. You Are Here: Burning Oneself Out by Adrienne Rich

Home | Poets | Poems | Lyrics | Music | Quotations | Forum | Search | Random Poem | Free Poetry eBooks | Contests | Sites |
Submit a Poem | Manage Your Poems | Contact Us

Christmas Poems | Love Poems | Pablo Neruda | Death Poems | Sad Poems | Birthday Poems | Wedding Poems | Annabel Lee | Sorry Poems | Winter Poems