(May 28, 1913 – December 4, 1989 / Utah)

poet May Swenson
#179 on top 500 poets
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What do you think this poem is about?

Question

Body my house
my horse my hound
what will I do
when you are fallen

Where will I sleep
How will I ride
What will I hunt

Where can I go
without my mount
all eager and quick
How will I know
in thicket ahead
is danger or treasure
when Body my good
bright dog is dead

How will it be
to lie in the sky
without roof or door
and wind for an eye

With cloud for shift
how will I hide?

Submitted: Monday, January 13, 2003


Read poems about / on: horse, dog, house, sleep, wind, sky, hunting

Comments about this poem (Question by May Swenson )

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  • Percy Dovetonsils (3/6/2007 4:25:00 PM)

    May Swenson (1913-1989)


    I wonder what it would be like
    to love May Swenson
    now that she hides in the wind.

    Lying in the sky
    wearing clouds for a shift
    she solemnly smiles
    through the mist.
    I hear her throb
    in the blood
    of my ears.
    She tickles
    the hairs
    on my wrist.


    “You’re not alone
    it only seems
    that way.
    I’m with you
    every moment
    of the day.”

    4 person liked.
    		6 person did not like.
  • Laurie Carter (12/29/2006 1:45:00 PM)

    'Question' affects me deeply because Ms. Swenson doesn't provide an answer, or a tidy solution, and it helps that her use of poetic devices is masterful.
    This poem is heartbreakingly sad and poignant, it makes me run to Gerard Manley Hopkins for comfortable answers, even though his 'Margaret are you grieving...' has the same theme.

    4 person liked.
    		8 person did not like.
Read all 2 comments »

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