Poem by Edward Estlin Cummings

Fame Speaks

Stand forth, John Keats! On earth thou knew'st me not;
Steadfast through all the storms of passion,thou,
True to thy muse,and virgin to thy vow;
Resigned,if name with ashes were forgot,
So thou one arrow in the gold had'st shot!
I never placed my laurel on thy brow,
But on thy name I come to lay it now,
When thy bones wither in the earthly plot.
Fame is my name.  I dwell among the clouds,
Being immortal,and the wreath I bring
Itself is Immortality.  The sweets
Of earth I know not,more the pains,but wing
In mine own ether,with the crownéd crowds
Born of the centuries.-Stand forth,John Keats!

1. when serpents bargain
2. i like my body when it is with your
3. pity this busy monster, manunkind
4. sometimes i am alive because with
5. as freedom is a breakfastfood

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