Karl Shapiro Quotes

Karl Shapiro — American Poet born on November 10, 1913, died on May 14, 2000

Karl Jay Shapiro was an American poet. He was appointed the fifth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1946... (wikipedia)

My soul is now her day, my day her night, So I lie down, and so I rise.

Laughter and grief join hands. Always the heart Clumps in the breast with heavy stride; The face grows lined and wrinkled like a chart, The eyes bloodshot with tears and tide. Let the wind blow, for many a man shall die.

But with exquisite breathing you smile, with satisfaction of love, And I touch you again as you tick in the silence and settle in sleep.

To make the child in your own image is a capital crime, for your image is not worth repeating. The child knows this and you know it. Consequently you hate each other.

Already old, the question Who shall die? Becomes unspoken Who is innocent?

Karl Shapiro Quotes

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