Classic Poetry Series

Ted Hughes
- poems -

Publication Date:
2011

Publisher:
PoemHunter.Com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive

Ted Hughes (1930 - 1998)

TedHughesisconsistentlydescribedasoneofthetwentiethcenturys
greatestEnglishpoets.BornAugust17th,1930inMytholmroyd,Yorkshire,
hisfamilymovedtoMexboroughwhenhewasseventorunanewspaperand
tobaccoshop.HeattendedMexboroughgrammarschool,andwrotehisfirst
poemsfromtheageoffifteen,someofwhichmadetheirwayintotheschool
magazine.BeforebeginningEnglishstudiesatCambridgeUniversity(having
wonascholarshipin1948),hespentmuchofhisNationalservicetime
readingandrereadingallofShakespeare.Accordingtoreport,hecould
reciteitallbyheart.AtCambridge,hehe'spentmost..timereadingfolklore
andYeat'spoems,'andswitchedfromEnglishtoArchaeologyand
Anthropologyinhisthirdyear.
Hisfirstpublishedpoemappearedin1954,theyearhegraduatedfrom
Cambridge.Heusedtwopseudonymsfortheearlypublications,Daniel
HearingandPeterCrew.From1955to1956,heworkedasarosegardener,
night-watchman,zooattendant,schoolteacher,andreaderforJ.Arthur
Rank,andplannedtoteachinSpainthenemigratetoAustralia.February26
sawthelaunchoftheliterarymagazine,theStBotolph'sReview,forwhich
Hugheswasoneofsixco-producers.ItwasalsothedayhemetSylviaPlath;
theyweremarriedinfourmonths.
Hughe'sfirstbookofpoems,HawkintheRain,waspublishedin1957to
immediateacclaim,winningtheHarperpublicationcontest.Overthenext41
years,hewouldwriteupwardsof90books,andwinnumerousprizesand
fellowshipsincludingthefollowing(inthatorder):
Harperpublicationcontest,GuinessPoetryAward,Guggenheimfellowship,
SomersetMaughanaward,cityofFlorenceInternationalPoetryPrize,Premio
InternazionaleTaorminaPrize,QueensGoldMedalforPoetry,OBE,votefor
thebestwritinginEnglishintheNewPoetryPoll,WhitbreadBookofthe
Year,W.H.SmithLiteratureaward,ForwardPrizeforPoetry,QueensOrder
ofMerit,T.S.EliotPrizeforPoetry,SouthBankAwardforLiterature,
WhitbreadPrizeforPoetry,andtheWhitbreadBookoftheYearagain.
In1984,hewasappointedEnglandspoetlaureate.
Hughesiswhatsomehavecalledanaturepoet.Akeencountrymanand
hunterfromayoungage,heviewedwritingpoemsasacontinuationofhis
earlierpassion.Thisishuntingandthepoemisanewspeciesofcreature,a
newspecimenofthelifeoutsideyourown.(PoetryintheMaking,1967)
HughesandPlath
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AstrongindirectsourceofinterestinthepersonofHughes(asidefromhis
poetry)ishisseven-yearmarriagetothewell-knownAmericanPoet,Sylvia
Plath.BirthdayLettersisasequenceoflyricswrittenbyHughesinthefirst
yearoftheirmarriage,castasacontinuedconversationwithPlath.
WhenPlathcommittedsuicidein1963(theyhadseparatedin1962),many
heldHughesresponsibleforherdeathasaconsequenceofhisadulterous
relationshipwithAssiaWevill;recentbiographiessuchasElaineFeinsteins
TedHughes:TheLifeofaPoethaveattemptedtosettherecordstraight
andcleartheairofrancorandrecrimination(BrookeAllen,TheNewYork
Times).
Thoughdeeplymarkedbytheloss,Hugheswaspubliclysilentonthesubject
formorethan30yearsoutofhissenseofresponsibilitytoprotectthe
couple'stwoyoungchildren,whoseperceptionsoftheirmotherwouldhave
otherwisebeenimpossiblyspoiledbyexternalinterference.Thepublication
ofBirthdayLettershasbeenseenasa'retaking'ofthehistoriesthathad
beenstolenfromthefamilythroughthecracksinthearmour.
Quotes
Eachimagedenotatesanother,sothatthewholepoemthrobsEdward
LucieSmithonHughespoetry,BritishPoetrysince1945
Imaginewhatyouarewritingabout.Seeitandliveit.TedHughes,Poetry
intheMaking
Youwriteinterestinglyonlyaboutthethingsthatgenuinelyinterestyou.
Thisisaninfalliblerule..inwriting,youhavetobeabletodistinguish
betweenthosethingsaboutwhichyouaremerelycuriousthingsyouheard
aboutlastweekorreadaboutyesterday-andthingswhichareadeeppartof
yourlifeSoyousay,WhatpartofmylifewouldIdietobeseparated
from?TedHughes,PoetryintheMaking
Itisoccasionallypossible,justforbriefmoments,tofindthewordsthatwill
unlockthedoorsofallthosemanymansionsintheheadandexpress
somethingperhapsnotmuch,justsomethingofthecrushofinformation
thatpressesinonusfromthewayacrowfliesoverandthewayaman
walksandthelookofastreetandfromwhatwedidonedayadozenyears
ago.Wordsthatwillexpresssomethingofthedeepcomplexitythatmakes
uspreciselythewayweare.-TedHughes,PoetryintheMaking

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A Woman Unconscious
RussiaandAmericacircleeachother;
Threatsnudgeanactthatwerewithoutdoubt
Ameltingofthemouldinthemother,
Stonesmeltingabouttheroot.
Thequickoftheearthburnedout:
Thetoilofallouragesaloss
Withleafandinsect.Yetflittingthought
(Nottobethoughtridiculous)
Shiesfromtheworld-cancellingblack
Ofitsplayingshadow:ithaslearned
Thatthere'snotrusting(trustingtoluck)
Dateswhentheworld'sduetobeburned;
Thatthefuture'snocalamitouschange
Butamalingeringofnow,
Histories,towns,facesthatno
Maliceoraccidentmuchderange.
Andthoughbombbematchedagainstbomb,
Thoughallmankindwinceoutandnothingendure-Earthgoneinaninstantflare-Didalesserdeathcome
Ontothewhitehospitalbed
Whereone,numbbeyondherlastofsense,
Closedhereyesontheworld'sevidence
Andintopillowssunkherhead.
SubmittedbyAndrewMayers
TedHughes

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Bride and Groom Lie Hidden for Three Days

Shegiveshimhiseyes,shefoundthem
Amongsomerubble,amongsomebeetles
Hegivesherherskin
Hejustseemedtopullitdownoutoftheairandlayitoverher
Sheweepswithfearfulnessandastonishment
Shehasfoundhishandsforhim,andfittedthemfreshlyatthewrists
Theyareamazedatthemselves,theygofeelingalloverher
Hehasassembledherspine,hecleanedeachpiececarefully
Andsetstheminperfectorder
Asuperhumanpuzzlebutheisinspired
Sheleansbacktwistingthiswayandthat,usingitandlaughing
Incredulous
Nowshehasbroughthisfeet,sheisconnectingthem
Sothathiswholebodylightsup
Andhehasfashionedhernewhips
Withallfittingscompleteandwithnewlywoundcoils,allshininglyoiled
Heispolishingeverypart,hehimselfcanhardlybelieveit
Theykeeptakingeachothertothesun,theyfindtheycaneasily
Totesteachnewthingateachnewstep
Andnowshesmoothesoverhimtheplatesofhisskull
Sothatthejointsareinvisible
Andnowheconnectsherthroat,herbreastsandthepitofherstomach
Withasinglewire
Shegiveshimhisteeth,tyingthetherootstothecentrepinofhisbody
Hesetsthelittlecircletsonherfingertips
Shesticheshisbodyhereandtherewithsteelypurplesilk
Heoilsthedelicatecogsofhermouth
Sheinlayswithdeepcutscrollsthenapeofhisneck
Hesinksintoplacetheinsideofherthighs
So,gaspingwithjoy,withcriesofwonderment
Liketwogodsofmud
Sprawlinginthedirt,butwithinfinitecare
Theybringeachothertoperfection.
TedHughes

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Crow's Fall
WhenCrowwaswhitehedecidedthesunwastoowhite.
Hedecideditglaredmuchtoowhitely.
Hedecidedtoattackitanddefeatit.
Hegothisstrengthupflushandinfullglitter.
Heclawedandfluffedhisrageup.
Heaimedhisbeakdirectatthesun'scentre.
Helaughedhimselftothecentreofhimself
Andattacked.
Athisbattlecrytreesgrewsuddenlyold,
Shadowsflattened.
Butthesunbrightened—
Itbrightened,andCrowreturnedcharredblack.
Heopenedhismouthbutwhatcameoutwascharredblack.
"Upthere,"hemanaged,
"Wherewhiteisblackandblackiswhite,Iwon."
TedHughes

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Crow's Nerve Fails

Crow,feelinghisbrainslip,
Findshiseveryfeatherthefossilofamurder.
Whomurderedallthese?
Theselivingdead,thatrootinhisnervesandhisblood
Tillheisvisiblyblack?
Howcanheflyfromhisfeathers?
Andwhyhavetheyhomedonhim?
Ishethearchiveoftheiraccusations?
Ortheirghostlypurpose,theirpiningvengeance?
Ortheirunforgivenprisoner?
Hecannotbeforgiven.
Hisprisonistheearth.Clothedinhisconviction,
Tryingtorememberhiscrimes
Heavilyheflies.
TedHughes

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Daffodils
Rememberhowwepickedthedaffodils?
Nobodyelseremembers,butIremember.
Yourdaughtercamewithherarmfuls,eagerandhappy,
Helpingtheharvest.Shehasforgotten.
Shecannotevenrememberyou.Andwesoldthem.
Itsoundslikesacrilege,butwesoldthem.
Werewesopoor?OldStoneman,thegrocer,
Boss-eyed,hisblood-pressurepurplingtobeetroot
(Itwashislastchance,
Hewoulddieinthesamegreatfreezeasyou),
Hepersuadedus.EverySpring
Healwaysboughtthem,sevenpenceadozen,
'Acustomofthehouse'.
Besides,westillweren'tsurewewantedtoown
Anything.Mainlywewerehungry
Toconverteverythingtoprofit.
Stillnomads-stillstrangers
Toourwholepossession.Thedaffodils
Wereincidentalgildingofthedeeds,
Treasuretrove.Theysimplycame,
Andtheykeptoncoming.
Asifnotfromthesodbutfallingfromheaven.
Ourliveswerestillaraidonourowngoodluck.
Weknewwe'dliveforever.Wehadnotlearned
Whatafleetingglanceoftheeverlasting
Daffodilsare.Neveridentified
ThenuptialflightoftherarestephermaOurowndays!
Wethoughttheywereawindfall.
Neverguessedtheywerealastblessing.
Sowesoldthem.Weworkedatsellingthem
Asifemployedonsomebodyelse's
Flower-farm.Youbentatit
IntherainofthatApril-yourlastApril.
Webenttheretogether,amongthesoftshrieks
Oftheirjostledstems,thewetshocksshaken
Oftheirgirlishdance-frocksFresh-openeddragonflies,wetandflimsy,
Openedtooearly.
Wepiledtheirfrailtylightsonacarpenter'sbench,
DistributedleavesamongthedozensBucklingblade-leaves,limber,gropingforair,zinc-silveredProppedtheirrawbuttsinbucketwater,
Theiroval,meatybutts,
Andsoldthem,sevenpenceabunchWind-wounds,spasmsfromthedarkearth,
Withtheirodourlessmetals,
Aflamypurificationofthedeepgrave'sstonycold
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Wesoldthem,towither.
Thecropthickenedfasterthanwecouldthinit.
Finally,wewereoverwhelmed
Andwelostourwedding-presentscissors.
EveryMarchsincetheyhaveliftedagain
Outofthesamebulbs,thesame
Baby-criesfromthethaw,
Ballerinastooearlyformusic,shiverers
Inthedraughtywingsoftheyear.
Onthatsamegroundswellofmemory,fluttering
Theyreturntoforgetyoustoopingthere
BehindtherainycurtainsofadarkApril,
Snippingtheirstems.
Butsomewhereyourscissorsremember.Wherevertheyare.
Heresomewhere,bladeswideopen,
AprilbyApril
Sinkingdeeper
Throughthesod-ananchor,acrossofrust.
TedHughes

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Examination at the Womb-Door

Whoownsthosescrawnylittlefeet?<i>Death</i>.
Whoownsthisbristlyscorched-lookingface?<i>Death</i>.
Whoownsthesestill-workinglungs?<i>Death</i>.
Whoownsthisutilitycoatofmuscles?<i>Death</i>.
Whoownstheseunspeakableguts?<i>Death</i>.
Whoownsthesequestionablebrains?<i>Death</i>.
Allthismessyblood?<i>Death</i>.
Theseminimum-efficiencyeyes?<i>Death</i>.
Thiswickedlittletongue?<i>Death</i>.
Thisoccasionalwakefulness?<i>Death</i>.
Given,stolen,orheldpendingtrial?
Held.
Whoownsthewholerainy,stonyearth?<i>Death</i>.
Whoownsallofspace?<i>Death</i>.
Whoisstrongerthanhope?<i>Death</i>.
Whoisstrongerthanthewill?<i>Death</i>.
Strongerthanlove?<i>Death</i>.
Strongerthanlife?<i>Death</i>.
Butwhoisstrongerthan<i>Death</i>?
Me,evidently.
Pass,Crow.
TedHughes

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10

Full Moon and Little Frieda

AcoolsmalleveningshrunktoadogbarkandtheclankofabucketAndyoulistening.
Aspider'sweb,tenseforthedew'stouch.
Apaillifted,stillandbrimming-mirror
Totemptafirststartoatremor.
Cowsaregoinghomeinthelanethere,loopingthehedgeswiththeirwarm
wreathsofbreathAdarkriverofblood,manyboulders,
Balancingunspilledmilk.
'Moon!'youcrysuddenly,'Moon!Moon!'
Themoonhassteppedbacklikeanartistgazingamazedatawork
Thatpointsathimamazed.
TedHughes

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11

Hawk Roosting
Isitinthetopofthewood,myeyesclosed.
Inaction,nofalsifyingdream
Betweenmyhookedheadandhookedfeet:
Orinsleeprehearseperfectkillsandeat.
Theconvenienceofthehightrees!
Theair'sbuoyancyandthesun'sray
Areofadvantagetome;
Andtheearth'sfaceupwardformyinspection.
Myfeetarelockedupontheroughbark.
IttookthewholeofCreation
Toproducemyfoot,myeachfeather:
NowIholdCreationinmyfoot
Orflyup,andrevolveitallslowlyIkillwhereIpleasebecauseitisallmine.
Thereisnosophistryinmybody:
MymannersaretearingoffheadsTheallotmentofdeath.
Fortheonepathofmyflightisdirect
Throughthebonesoftheliving.
Noargumentsassertmyright:
Thesunisbehindme.
NothinghaschangedsinceIbegan.
Myeyehaspermittednochange.
Iamgoingtokeepthingslikethis.
TedHughes

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12

How To Paint A Water Lily

ToPaintaWaterLily
Agreenleveloflilyleaves
Roofsthepond'schamberandpaves
Theflies'furiousarena:study
These,thetwomindsofthislady.
Firstobservetheair'sdragonfly
Thateatsmeat,thatbulletsby
Orstandsinspacetotakeaim;
Othersasdangerouscombthehum
Underthetrees.Therearebattle-shouts
Anddeath-crieseverywherehereabouts
Butinaudible,sotheeyespraise
Toseethecoloursoftheseflies
Rainbowtheirarcs,spark,orsettle
Coolinglikebeadsofmoltenmetal
Throughthespectrum.Thinkwhatworse
isthepond-bed'smatterofcourse;
Prehistoricbedragonedtimes
CrawlthatdarknesswithLatinnames,
Haveevolvednoimprovementsthere,
Jawsforheads,thesetstare,
Ignorantofageasofhour&mdash;
Nowpaintthelong-neckedlily-flower
Which,deepinbothworlds,canbestill
Asapainting,tremblinghardlyatall
Thoughthedragonflyalight,
Whateverhorrornudgeherroot.
TedHughes

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Lineage
InthebeginningwasScream
WhobegatBlood
WhobegatEye
WhobegatFear
WhobegatWing
WhobegatBone
WhobegatGranite
WhobegatViolet
WhobegatGuitar
WhobegatSweat
WhobegatAdam
WhobegatMary
WhobegatGod
WhobegatNothing
WhobegatNever
NeverNeverNever
WhobegatCrow
ScreamingforBlood
Grubs,crusts
Anything
Tremblingfeatherlesselbowsinthenest'sfilth
TedHughes

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Lovesong
Helovedherandshelovedhim.
Hiskissessuckedoutherwholepastandfutureortriedto
Hehadnootherappetite
Shebithimshegnawedhimshesucked
Shewantedhimcompleteinsideher
Safeandsureforeverandever
Theirlittlecriesflutteredintothecurtains
Hereyeswantednothingtogetaway
Herlooksnaileddownhishandshiswristshiselbows
Hegrippedherhardsothatlife
Shouldnotdragherfromthatmoment
Hewantedallfuturetocease
Hewantedtotopplewithhisarmsroundher
Offthatmoment'sbrinkandintonothing
Oreverlastingorwhatevertherewas
Herembracewasanimmensepress
Toprinthimintoherbones
Hissmileswerethegarretsofafairypalace
Wheretherealworldwouldnevercome
Hersmileswerespiderbites
Sohewouldliestilltillshefelthungry
Hiswordswereoccupyingarmies
Herlaughswereanassassin'sattempts
Hislookswerebulletsdaggersofrevenge
Hisglanceswereghostsinthecornerwithhorriblesecrets
Hiswhisperswerewhipsandjackboots
Herkisseswerelawyerssteadilywriting
Hiscaresseswerethelasthooksofacastaway
Herlove-trickswerethegrindingoflocks
Andtheirdeepcriescrawledoverthefloors
Likeananimaldraggingagreattrap
Hispromiseswerethesurgeon'sgag
Herpromisestookthetopoffhisskull
Shewouldgetabroochmadeofit
Hisvowspulledoutallhersinews
Heshowedherhowtomakealove-knot
Hervowsputhiseyesinformalin
Atthebackofhersecretdrawer
Theirscreamsstuckinthewall
Theirheadsfellapartintosleeplikethetwohalves
Ofaloppedmelon,butloveishardtostop
Intheirentwinedsleeptheyexchangedarmsandlegs
Intheirdreamstheirbrainstookeachotherhostage
Inthemorningtheyworeeachother'sface
TedHughes
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Macaw and Little Miss

Inacageofwire-ribs
Thesizeofaman'shead,themacawbristlesinastaring
Combustion,suffersthestokingdevilsofhiseyes.
Intheoldlady'sparlour,whereanaspidistrasuccumbs
Tothemuskoffadedvelvet,hehangsinclearflames,
Likeatorturer'sironinstrumentpreparing
Withdenseslowshudderingsofgreens,yellows,blues,
Crimsoningintothebarbs:
Orlikethesmoulderingheadthathung
InKilldevil'sbrasskitchen,inirons,whohadbeen
Volcanoswearingtovomittheworldawayinblackash,
Andwould,oneday;orafugitivearistocrat
Fromsomethunderousmythologicalhierarchy,caught
Byalittleboywithacrustandabentpin,
Orsnareofhorsehairsetforasong-thrush,
Andputinacagetosing.
Theoldladywhofeedshimseeds
Hasagrand-daughter.Thegirlcallshim'PoorPolly',pokesfun.
'JollyMop.'Butliesundereveryfullmoon,
Thespunglassofherbodybaredandsogleam-still
Herbrimmingeyesdonottrembleorspill
Thedreamwherethewarriorcomes,lightningandiron,
Smashingandburningandrendingtowardsherloin:
Deepintoherpillowhersilencepleads.
Alldayhestaresathisfurnace
Witheyesred-raw,butwhenshecomestheyclose.
'Polly.PrettyPoll',shecajoles,androckshimgently.
Shecaresses,whisperskisses.Thebluelidsstayshut.
Shestrikesthecageinatantrumandswirlsout:
Instantlybeak,wings,talonscrash
Thebarsinconflagrationandfrenzy,
Andhisshriekshakesthehouse.
TedHughes

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16

Old Age Gets Up

Stirsitsashesandembers,itsburntsticks
Aneyepowderedover,halfmeltedandsolidagain
Ponders
Ideasthatcollapse
Atthefirsttouchofattention
Thelightatthewindow,sosquareandsosame
Sofull-strongasever,thewindowframe
Ascaffoldinspace,foreyestoleanon
Supportingthebody,shapedtoitsoldwork
Makingsmallmovementsingrayair
Numbedfromtheblurredaccident
Ofhavinglived,thefatal,realinjury
Undertheamnesia
Somethingtriestosaveitself-searches
Fordefenses-butwordsevade
Likeflieswiththeirownnotions
Oldageslowlygetsdressed
Heavilydosedwithdeath'snight
Sitsonthebed'sedge
Pullsitspiecestogether
Looselytucksinitsshirt
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17

Pike
Pike,threeincheslong,perfect
Pikeinallparts,greentigeringthegold.
Killersfromtheegg:themalevolentagedgrin.
Theydanceonthesurfaceamongtheflies.
Ormove,stunnedbytheirowngrandeur,
Overabedofemerald,silhouette
Ofsubmarinedelicacyandhorror.
Ahundredfeetlongintheirworld.
Inponds,undertheheat-strucklilypadsGloomoftheirstillness:
Loggedonlastyear'sblackleaves,watchingupwards.
Orhunginanambercavernofweeds
Thejaws'hookedclampandfangs
Nottobechangedatthisdate:
Alifesubduedtoitsinstrument;
Thegillskneadingquietly,andthepectorals.
Threewekeptbehindglass,
Jungledinweed:threeinches,four,
Andfourandahalf:redfrytothemSuddenlythereweretwo.Finallyone
Withasagbellyandthegrinitwasbornwith.
Andindeedtheysparenobody.
Two,sixpoundseach,overtwofeetlong
Highanddryanddeadinthewillow-herbOnejammedpastitsgillsdowntheother'sgullet:
Theoutsideeyestared:asavicelocksThesameironinthiseye
Thoughitsfilmshrankindeath.
ApondIfished,fiftyyardsacross,
Whoseliliesandmusculartench
Hadoutlastedeveryvisiblestone
OfthemonasterythatplantedthemStilledlegendarydepth:
ItwasasdeepasEngland.Itheld
Piketooimmensetostir,soimmenseandold
ThatpastnightfallIdarednotcast
Butsilentlycastandfished
Withthehairfrozenonmyhead
Forwhatmightmove,forwhateyemightmove.
Thestillsplashesonthedarkpond,
Owlshushingthefloatingwoods
Frailonmyearagainstthedream
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Darknessbeneathnight'sdarknesshadfreed,
Thatroseslowlytowardme,watching.
TedHughes

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19

Relic
Ifoundthisjawboneatthesea'sedge:
There,crabs,dogfish,brokenbythebreakersortossed
Toflapforhalfanhourandturntoacrust
Continuethebeginning.Thedeepsarecold:
Inthatdarknesscamaraderiedoesnothold.
Nothingtouchesbut,clutching,devours.Andthejaws,
Beforetheyaresatisfiedortheirstretchedpurpose
Slacken,godownjaws;gognawnbare.Jaws
Eatandarefinishedandthejawbonecomestothebeach:
Thisisthesea'sachievement;withshells,
Verterbrae,claws,carapaces,skulls.
Timeintheseaeatsitstail,thrives,caststhese
Indigestibles,thesparsofpurposes
Thatfailedfarfromthesurface.Nonegrowrich
Inthesea.Thiscurvedjawbonedidnotlaugh
Butgripped,grippedandisnowacenotaph.
TedHughes

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September
Wesitlate,watchingthedarkslowlyunfold:
Noclockcountsthis.
Whenkissesarerepeatedandthearmshold
Thereisnotellingwheretimeis.
Itismidsummer:theleaveshangbigandstill:
Behindtheeyeastar,
Underthesilkofthewristasea,tell
Timeisnowhere.
Westand;leaveshavenottimedthesummer.
Noclocknowneeds
Tellwehaveonlywhatweremember:
Minutesuproaringwithourheads
LikeanunfortunateKing'sandhisQueen's
Whenthesenselessmobrules;
Andquietlythetreescastingtheircrowns
Intothepools.
TedHughes

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21

The Harvest Moon

Theflame-redmoon,theharvestmoon,
Rollsalongthehills,gentlybouncing,
Avastballoon,
Tillittakesoff,andsinksupward
Tolieonthebottomofthesky,likeagolddoubloon.
Theharvestmoonhascome,
Boomingsoftlythroughheaven,likeabassoon.
Andtheearthrepliesallnight,likeadeepdrum.
Sopeoplecan'tsleep,
Sotheygooutwhereelmsandoaktreeskeep
Akneelingvigil,inareligioushush.
Theharvestmoonhascome!
Andallthemoonlitcowsandallthesheep
Stareupatherpetrified,whilesheswells
Fillingheaven,asifredhot,andsailing
Closerandcloserliketheendoftheworld.
Tillthegoldfieldsofstiffwheat
Cry`Weareripe,reapus!'andtherivers
Sweatfromthemeltinghills.
TedHughes

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22

The Minotaur
Themahoganytable-topyousmashed
Hadbeenthebroadplanktop
Ofmymother'sheirloomsideboardMappedwiththescarsofmywholelife.
Thatcameunderthehammer.
Thathighstoolyouswungthatday
Dementedbymybeing
Twentyminuteslateforbaby-minding.
'Marvellous!'Ishouted,'Goon,
Smashitintokindling.
That'sthestuffyou'rekeepingoutofyourpoems!'
Andlater,consideredandcalmer,
'Getthatshoulderunderyourstanzas
Andwe'llbeaway.'Deepinthecaveofyourear
Thegoblinsnappedhisfingers.
SowhathadIgivenhim?
Thebloodyendoftheskein
Thatunravelledyourmarriage,
Leftyourchildrenechoing
Liketunnelsinalabyrinth.
Leftyourmotheradead-end,
Broughtyoutothehorned,bellowing
Graveofyourrisenfather
Andyourowncorpseinit.
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The Owl
Isawmyworldagainthroughyoureyes
AsIwouldseeitagainthroughyourchildren'seyes.
Throughyoureyesitwasforeign.
Plainhedgehawthornswerepeculiaraliens,
Amysteryofpeculiarloreanddoings.
Anythingwild,onlegs,inyoureyes
Emergedatapointofexclamation
Asifithadappearedtodinnerguests
Inthemiddleofthetable.Commonmallards
Wereartefactsofsomeunearthliness,
Theirwooingswereahypnagogicfilm
Unreeledbytheriver.Impossible
Tocomprehendthecomfortoftheirfeet
Inthefreezingwater.Youwereacamera
Recordingreflectionsyoucouldnotfathom.
Imademyworldperformitsutmostforyou.
Youtookitallinwithanincredulousjoy
Likeamotherhandedhernewbaby
Bythemidwife.Yourfrenzymademegiddy.
Itwokeupmydumb,ecstaticboyhood
Offifteenyearsbefore.Mymasterpiece
CamethatblacknightontheGrantchesterroad.
Isuckedthethroatythinwoeofarabbit
Outofmywettedknuckle,byacopse
Whereatawnyowlwasenquiring.
Suddenlyitswoopedup,splayingitspinions
Intomyface,takingmeforapost.
TedHughes

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The Seven Sorrows

Thefirstsorrowofautumn
Istheslowgoodbye
OfthegardenwhostandssolongintheeveningAbrownpoppyhead,
Thestalkofalily,
Andstillcannotgo.
Thesecondsorrow
Istheemptyfeet
Ofapheasantwhohangsfromahookwithhisbrothers.
Thewoodlandofgold
Isfoldedinfeathers
Withitsheadinabag.
Andthethirdsorrow
Istheslowgoodbye
Ofthesunwhohasgatheredthebirdsandwhogathers
Theminutesofevening,
Thegoldenandholy
Groundofthepicture.
Thefourthsorrow
Isthepondgoneblack
RuinedandsunkenthecityofwaterThebeetle'spalace,
Thecatacombs
Ofthedragonfly.
Andthefifthsorrow
Istheslowgoodbye
Ofthewoodlandthatquietlybreaksupitscamp.
Onedayit'sgone.
IthasonlyleftlitterFirewood,tentpoles.
Andthesixthsorrow
Isthefox'ssorrow
Thejoyofthehuntsman,thejoyofthehounds,
Thehoovesthatpound
Tillearthclosesherear
Tothefox'sprayer.
Andtheseventhsorrow
Istheslowgoodbye
Ofthefacewithitswrinklesthatlooksthroughthewindow
Astheyearpacksup
Likeatattyfairground
Thatcameforthechildren.
TedHughes

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The Thought-Fox
Iimaginethismidnightmoment'sforest:
Somethingelseisalive
Besidetheclock'sloneliness
Andthisblankpagewheremyfingersmove.
ThroughthewindowIseenostar:
Somethingmorenear
Thoughdeeperwithindarkness
Isenteringtheloneliness:
Cold,delicatelyasthedarksnow
Afox'snosetouchestwig,leaf;
Twoeyesserveamovement,thatnow
Andagainnow,andnow,andnow
Setsneatprintsintothesnow
Betweentrees,andwarilyalame
Shadowlagsbystumpandinhollow
Ofabodythatisboldtocome
Acrossclearings,aneye,
Awideningdeepeninggreenness,
Brilliantly,concentratedly,
Comingaboutitsownbusiness
Till,withasuddensharphotstinkoffox
Itentersthedarkholeofthehead.
Thewindowisstarlessstill;theclockticks,
Thepageisprinted.
TedHughes

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The Warm and the Cold

Freezingduskisclosing
Likeaslowtrapofsteel
Ontreesandroadsandhillsandall
Thatcannolongerfeel.
Butthecarpisinitsdepth
Likeaplanetinitsheaven.
Andthebadgerinitsbedding
Likealoafintheoven.
Andthebutterflyinitsmummy
Likeaviolinitscase.
Andtheowlinitsfeathers
Likeadollinitslace.
Freezingduskhastightened
Likeanutscrewedtight
Onthestarryaeroplane
Ofthesoaringnight.
Butthetroutisinitshole
Likeachuckleinasleeper.
Theharestraysdownthehighway
Likearootgoingdeeper.
Thesnailisdryintheouthouse
Likeaseedinasunflower.
Theowlispaleonthegatepost
Likeaclockonitstower.
Moonlightfreezestheshaggyworld
LikeamammothoficeThepastandthefuture
Arethejawsofasteelvice.
Butthecodisinthetide-rip
Likeakeyinapurse.
Thedeerareonthebare-blownhill
Likesmilesonanurse.
Thefliesarebehindtheplaster
Likethelostscoreofajig.
Sparrowsareintheivy-clump
Likemoneyinapig.
Suchafrost
Theflimsymoon
Haslostherwits.
Astarfalls.
Thesweatingfarmers
Turnintheirsleep
Likeoxenonspits.
TedHughes

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Theology
"No,theserpentdidnot
SeduceEvetotheapple.
Allthat'ssimply
Corruptionofthefacts.
Adamatetheapple.
EveateAdam.
TheserpentateEve.
Thisisthedarkintestine.
Theserpent,meanwhile,
SleepshismealoffinParadiseSmilingtohear
God'squerulouscalling."
TedHughes

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Thistles
Againsttherubbertonguesofcowsandthehoeinghandsofmen
Thistlesspikethesummerair
Andcrackleopenunderablue-blackpressure.
Everyonearevengefulburst
Ofresurrection,agraspedfistful
OfsplinteredweaponsandIcelandicfrostthrustup
FromtheundergroundstainofadecayedViking.
Theyarelikepalehairandthegutturalsofdialects.
Everyonemanagesaplumeofblood.
Thentheygrowgreylikemen.
Mowndown,itisafeud.Theirsonsappear
Stiffwithweapons,fightingbackoverthesameground.
TedHughes

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Thrushes
Terrifyingaretheattentsleekthrushesonthelawn,
Morecoiledsteelthanliving-apoised
Darkdeadlyeye,thosedelicatelegs
Triggeredtostirringsbeyondsense-withastart,abounce,
astab
Overtaketheinstantanddragoutsomewrithingthing.
Noindolentprocrastinationsandnoyawningstates,
Nosighsorhead-scratchings.Nothingbutbounceandstab
Andaraveningsecond.
Isittheirsingle-mind-sizedskulls,oratrained
Body,orgenius,oranestfulofbrats
Givestheirdaysthisbulletandautomatic
Purpose?Mozart'sbrainhadit,andtheshark'smouth
Thathungersdowntheblood-smelleventoaleakofitsown
Sideanddevouringofitself:efficiencywhich
Strikestoostreamlinedforanydoubttopluckatit
Orobstructiondeflect.
Withamanitisotherwise.Heroismsonhorseback,
Outstrippinghisdesk-diaryatabroaddesk,
Carvingatatinyivoryornament
Foryears:hisactworshipsitself-whileforhim,
Thoughhebendstobeblentintheprayer,howloudand
abovewhat
Furiousspacesoffiredothedistractingdevils
Orgyandhosannah,underwhatwilderness
Ofblacksilentwatersweep.
TedHughes

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Tractor
Thetractorstandsfrozen-anagony
Tothinkof.Allnight
Snowpackeditsopenentrails.Nowahead-pinceringgale,
Aspillofmoltenice,smokingsnow,
Poursintoitssteel.
Atwhiteheatofnumbnessitstands
Intheaimedhosingofground-levelfieriness.
Itdefiedfleshandwon'tstart.
Handsarelikewoundsalready
Insidearmourgloves,andfeetareunbelievable
Asifthetoe-nailswerealljusttornoff.
Istareatitinhatred.Beyondit
Thecopsehisses-capitulatesmiserably
Inthefleeing,failinglight.Starlings,
Adirtiersleetiersnow,blowsmokily,unendingly,over
TowardsplantationsEastward.
Allthetimethetractorissinking
Throughthedegrees,deepening
Intoitshellofice.
Thestartinglever
Cracksitsaction,likeasnappingknuckle.
Thebatteryisalive-butlikealamb
Tryingtonudgeitssolid-frozenmotherWhiletheseatclaimsmybuttock-bones,bites
Withthespace-coldofearth,whichithasjoined
Inonesolidlump.
Isquirtcommercialsure-fire
Downtheblackthroat-itjustcoughs.
Itridiculesme-atrapofironstupidity
I'vesteppedinto.Idrivethebattery
AsifIwerehammeringandhammering
Thefrozenarrangementtopieceswithahammer
Anditjabberslaughingpain-cryingmockingly
Intohappylife.
Andstands
Shudderingitselffullofheat,seemingtoenlargeslowly
Likeademondemonstrating
Amore-than-usually-completematerializationSuddenlyitjerksfromitssolidarity
Withtheconcrete,andlurchestowardsastanchion
Burstingwithsuperhumanwell-beingandabandon
ShoutingWhereWhere?
Worseironiswaiting.Power-liftkneels
Leversawakeimprisoneddeadweight,
Shackle-pinsbeddedincast-ironcow-shit.
Theblindandvibratingcondemnedobedience
Ofirontothecrueltyofiron,
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Wheelsscreechedoutoftheirnight-locksFingers
Amongthetormented
Tonnageandburningofiron
Eyes
Weepinginthewindofchloroform
Andthetractor,streamingwithsweat,
Ragingandtremblingandrejoicing.
TedHughes

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Wind
Thishousehasbeenfaroutatseaallnight,
Thewoodscrashingthroughdarkness,theboominghills,
Windsstampedingthefieldsunderthewindow
Flounderingblackastrideandblindingwet
Tilldayrose;thenunderanorangesky
Thehillshadnewplaces,andwindwielded
Blade-light,luminousblackandemerald,
Flexinglikethelensofamadeye.
AtnoonIscaledalongthehouse-sideasfaras
Thecoal-housedoor.OnceIlookedupThroughthebruntwindthatdentedtheballsofmyeyes
Thetentofthehillsdrummedandstraineditsguyrope,
Thefieldsquivering,theskylineagrimace,
Atanysecondtobangandvanishwithaflap;
ThewindflungamagpieawayandablackBackgullbentlikeanironbarslowly.Thehouse
Ranglikesomefinegreengobletinthenote
Thatanysecondwouldshatterit.Nowdeep
Inchairs,infrontofthegreatfire,wegrip
Ourheartsandcannotentertainbook,thought,
Oreachother.Wewatchthefireblazing,
Andfeeltherootsofthehousemove,butsiton,
Seeingthewindowtrembletocomein,
Hearingthestonescryoutunderthehorizons.
TedHughes

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33

Work and Play

Theswallowofsummer,shetoilsallthesummer,
Ablue-darkknotofglitteringvoltage,
Awhiplashswimmer,afishoftheair.
Buttheserpentofcarsthatcrawlsthroughthedust
Inshimmeringexhaust
Searchingtoslake
Itsfeverinocean
Willplayandbeidleorelseitwillbust.
Theswallowofsummer,thebarbedharpoon,
Sheflingsfromthefurnace,arainbowofpurples,
Dipsherglowinthepondandisperfect.
Buttheserpentofcarsthatcollapsedonthebeach
Disgorgesitsorgans
Ascamperofcolours
Whichrollliketomatoes
Nudeastomatoes
Withsandintheircreases
Tocringeinthesparkleofrollersandscreech.
Theswallowofsummer,theseamstressofsummer,
Shescissorstheblueintoshapesandshesewsit,
Shedrawsalongthreadandsheknotsitatthecorners.
Buttheholidaypeople
Arelaidoutlikewounded
Flatasinovens
Roastingandbasting
Withfacesoftormentasspaceburnsthemblue
Theirheadsaretransistors
Theirteethgritonsandgrains
Theirlostkidsaresqualling
Whileman-eatingflies
Jabelectricshockneedlesbutwhatcantheydo?
Theycanclimbintheircarswithrawbodies,rawfaces
Andstartuptheserpent
Andheadacheithomeward
Acarfullofsquabbles
Andsobbingandstickiness
Withsandintheircrannies
Inhalingpetroleum
Thatpoursfromthefoxgloves
Whiletheeveningswallow
Theswallowofsummer,cartwheelingthroughcrimson,
Touchesthehoney-slowriverandturning
ReturnstothehandstretchedfromundertheeavesAboomerangofrejoicingshadow.
TedHughes

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