ext_346139 ([identity profile] mysneaker.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] greatpoetry2004-01-02 12:01 am
Entry tags:

The Civil War - Anne Sexton

I am torn in two
but I will conquer myself.
I will dig up the pride.
I will take the scissors
and cut out the beggar.
I will take the crowbar
and pry out the broken
pieces of God in me.
Just like a jigsaw puzzle,
I will put Him together again
with the patience of a chess player.

How many pieces?

It feels like thousands,
God dressed up like whore
in a slime of green algae.
God dressed up like an old man
staggering out of His shoes.
God dressed up like a child,
all naked,
even without skin,
soft as an avacado when you peel it.
And others,others,others.

But I will conquer them all
and build a whole nation of God
in me- but united,
build a new soul,
dress it with my skin
and then put on my shirt
and sing an anthem,
a song of myself

[identity profile] aporue.livejournal.com 2004-01-01 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
anne sexton's writing is incredible.
thanks for posting <3

[identity profile] kgopoetry.livejournal.com 2004-01-02 11:46 am (UTC)(link)
this is a really good one. i have a complete collection of her poetry. it's awesome and has lots and lots of wonderful poems in it.

[identity profile] tastetherayne.livejournal.com 2004-01-08 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
one of my faves

<3