Unit 4: Vocabulary from Readings 2

You turn the kitchen
tap’s metallic stream
into tropical drink,
extra sugar whirlpooling
to the pitcher-bottom
like gypsum sand.

Engineers want to be poets,
flies emulate swallows,
and poets try hard to act like flies.

O little
emperor without a realm,
conqueror without a homeland,
diminutive parlor tiger, nuptial
sultan of heavens,
roofed in erotic tiles

suspicious
of all earthly things,
(because everything
feels filthy
to the cat's immaculate paw),
you claim
the touch of love in the air.

O freelance household
beast, arrogant
vestige of night,
lazy, agile
and strange

You’re known to everyone, you belong
to the least mysterious tenant.

I know the earth’s volcanic protrusions
and the crocodiles unreal hide,
the fireman’s unseen kindness
And the priest’s blue atavism.

But cats I can’t figure out.
My mind slides on their indifference.
Their eyes hold ciphers of gold.

Her eyes were brighter than the radiant west.
(Seldom they shine so now.)

She did not walk in any mortal way,
But with angelic progress; when she spoke,
Unearthly voices sang in unison.

She did not walk in any mortal way,
But with angelic progress; when she spoke,
Unearthly voices sang in unison.

She seemed divine among the dreary folk
Of earth.

Well, though the bow's unbent, the wound bleeds on.

I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.

I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

It produces the most questions
in the minds of children,
entertains the gods
by shooting and missiles
into the sky,
sows mines in the fields
and reaps punctures and blisters,
urges families to emigrate

It inspires tyrants
to deliver long speeches,
awards medals to generals
and themes to poets.

It...
invigorates the coffin makers,
gives grave diggers
a pat on the back
and paints a smile on the leader's face.

The war works with unparalleled diligence!

The train emerged from the quivering tunnel of sandy rocks, began to cross the symmetrical, interminable banana plantations, and the air became humid and they couldn’t feel the sea breeze any more.

A band was playing a lively tune under the oppressive sun.

The priest scrutinized her. She stared at him with quiet self-control, and the Father blushed.

“God’s will is inscrutable,” said the Father.