Kenneth Patchen

(13 December 1911 - 8 January 1972 / Ohio)

poet Kenneth Patchen
#149 on top 500 poets

We Go Out Together In The Staring Town - Poem by Kenneth Patchen

We go out together into the staring town
And buy cheese and bread and little jugs with
flowered labels

Everywhere is a tent where we put on our whirling
show

A great deal has been said of the handless serpents
Which war has set loose in the gay milk of our
heads

But because you braid your hair and taste like
honey of heaven
We go together into town to buy wine and
yellow candles.


Comments about We Go Out Together In The Staring Town by Kenneth Patchen

  • Terry Craddock (12/13/2016 11:35:00 PM)


    I wonder why everyone was staring, war is a focus point, 'we put on our whirling
    show' could be a metaphor for live fast as dying young; I would be interested in the background context of this poem.     (Report) Reply

    0 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • (12/13/2016 10:42:00 PM)


    Congrats on the modern poem of the Day and thanks for sharing. (Report) Reply

    0 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Edward Kofi Louis (12/13/2016 2:46:00 AM)

    Together
    Wine and yellow candles. Thanks for sharing this poem with us. (Report) Reply

    1 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • (11/22/2006 9:01:00 PM)


    I wish that more of his works were posted on this site. (Report) Reply

    1 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
Read all 4 comments »



Read this poem in other languages

This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.

I would like to translate this poem »

word flags

What do you think this poem is about?

Read poems about / on: together, war, hair, heaven, flower



Poem Submitted: Friday, January 3, 2003

Report this poem Edit this poem

Recite this poem (upload your own video or voice file) - NEW


[Report Error]