Keith Douglas

The Knife

Can I explain this to you? Your eyes Are entrances the mouths of caves I issue from wonderful interiors Upon a blessed sea and a fine day, From inside these caves I look and

Vergissmeinnicht

Three weeks gone and the combatants gone Returning over the nightmare ground We found the place again, and found The soldier sprawling in the sun. The frowning barrel of his gun Overshadowing. As we

Villanelle Of Spring Bells

Bells in the town alight with spring Converse, with a concordance of new airs Make clear the fresh and ancient sound they sing. People emerge from winter to hear them ring, Children glitter with

Cairo Jag

Shall I get drunk or cut myself a piece of cake, A pasty Syrian with a few words of English Or the Turk who says she is a princess she dances Apparently by levitation?

How To Kill

Under the parabola of a ball, A child turning into a man, I looked into the air too long. The ball fell in my hand, it sang In the closed fist: Open Open Behold