John Berryman
Dream Song 100: How Sylvia Path came by the courage
__________________
How Sylvia came by the courage—
How she got the courage, Henry thought to
Himself one hot night in July
Where it came from, did once the Lord—
Frown down on her ancient cradle thinking
“This one will do before she dies”
_______________________
Thirty-one years of indignities—
Looking upon her mother & father with
Shame & rage she still endured
Then a Fullbright pilgrimage—
When thunder clapped some promise
In that far away Nation of Words
_________________
Hughes growling & sweating—
Growing & using the genius of this woman
Her great strength, superhuman hope
No, no, not all used up at all—
Henry sensed a mystery, mumbling to himself
Taking another look at Ariel
__________________
How Sylvia came by the courage—
How she got the courage, Henry thought to
Himself one hot night in July
Where it came from, did once the Lord—
Frown down on her ancient cradle thinking
“This one will do before she dies”
_______________________
Thirty-one years of indignities—
Looking upon her mother & father with
Shame & rage she still endured
Then a Fullbright pilgrimage—
When thunder clapped some promise
In that far away Nation of Words
_________________
Hughes growling & sweating—
Growing & using the genius of this woman
Her great strength, superhuman hope
No, no, not all used up at all—
Henry sensed a mystery, mumbling to himself
Taking another look at Ariel
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