PoemHunter.com

The Tourist from Syracuse by Donald Justice

10/13/2008 2:47:51 AM
Home Poets Poems Lyrics Quotations Music Forum Search Member Area Poetry E-Books Sites Mini Quiz
 

POEMS

LYRICS

MUSIC

QUOTATIONS

SEARCH

   
Donald Justice
Free Poetry E-Book:
20 poems of Donald Justice

File Size: 125k  File Format: Acrobat Reader
To download the eBook right-Click on the title and select "Save Target As". more ebooks >>
   Poems  Quotations  Comments  More Info  Stats 

 
 
<< prev. poem Poems by Donald Justice: 18 / 20 next poem >>
  
 
The Tourist from Syracuse
 
  One of those men who can be a car salesman or a tourist from Syracuse or a hired assassin.
-- John D. MacDonald


You would not recognize me.
Mine is the face which blooms in
The dank mirrors of washrooms
As you grope for the light switch.

My eyes have the expression
Of the cold eyes of statues
Watching their pigeons return
From the feed you have scattered,

And I stand on my corner
With the same marble patience.
If I move at all, it is
At the same pace precisely

As the shade of the awning
Under which I stand waiting
And with whose blackness it seems
I am already blended.

I speak seldom, and always
In a murmur as quiet
As that of crowds which surround
The victims of accidents.

Shall I confess who I am?
My name is all names, or none.
I am the used-car salesman,
The tourist from Syracuse,

The hired assassin, waiting.
I will stand here forever
Like one who has missed his bus --
Familiar, anonymous --

On my usual corner,
The corner at which you turn
To approach that place where now
You must not hope to arrive.

Donald Justice


Read poems about / on: car, hope, light, mirror

User Rating:

10.0 /10
(1 votes)



 
Comments about this poem (The Tourist from Syracuse by Donald Justice) 

There is no comment submitted by members..

Click here to write your comments about this poem (The Tourist from Syracuse by Donald Justice)
 
People who read Donald Justice also read: More classic poets:

The complete list >>

Lyrics

The complete list >>

QuickPoll
Overall, how would you rate our website?
Very good
Rather good
Fair
Rather poor
Very poor

 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
10/13/2008 2:47:51 AM. You Are Here: The Tourist from Syracuse by Donald Justice

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