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

[jsavoie at siue.edu]

It's a trifle, but it well serves to show what a masterpiece Milton wrote.

John Savoie


Quoting jonnyangel <junkopardner at comcast.net>:

> 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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