[Milton-L] After John Milton - 19th Sonnet

[jonnyangel]

I thought I’d pass this new poem from Rae Armantrout along. It’s in the
newest issue (June) of Poetry Magazine.
I thought it was an interesting contrast to Milton’s 19th Sonnet.


Peace Shalom, 

Jonny



Eyes
by Rae Armantrout
 
After John Milton
 
 
Our light is never spent.
Is spent.
 
Thus have we scooped out
maceration reservoirs.
 
We will blaze forth
what remains
as pixels.
 
Great angels  
fly at our behest
between towers,
 
along axons and dendrites,
 
so that things stand
as they stand
 
in the recruited present
 
---------------------------------------------
 
Sonnet 19
 
When I consider how my light is spent,
E're half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide,
Lodg'd with me useless, though my Soul more bent
 
To serve therewith my Maker, and present [ 5 ]
My true account, least he returning chide,
Doth God exact day labour, light deny'd,
I fondly ask; But patience to prevent
 
That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts, who best [ 10 ]
Bear his milde yoak, they serve him best, his State
 
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o're Land and Ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and waite.



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