“The China plate” (Publication, 1955)
Year
1955
Text
Graves, Robert. The China plate. In : Graves, Robert. Collected poems, 1955. (Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1955). (Grav3)
Type
Publication
Contributors (1)
Graves, Robert
(Wimbledon, London 1895-1985 Dejà, Mallorca) : Schriftsteller, Dichter
Subjects
Literature : Occident : Great Britain : Poetry
Chronology Entries (1)
| # | Year | Text | Linked Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1955 |
Graves, Robert. The China plate [ID D31742]. From a crowded barrow in a street-market The plate was ransomed for a few coppers, Was brought gleefully home, given a place On a commanding shelf. 'Quite a museum-piece' an expert cries (Eyeing it through the ready pocket-lens)-— As though a glass case would be less sepulchral Than the barrow-hearse! For weeks this plate retells the history Whenever an eye runs in that direction: 'Near perdition I was, in a street-market With rags and old shoes.' 'A few coppers'—here once again The purchaser's proud hand lifts down The bargain, displays the pot-bank sign Scrawled raggedly underneath. Enough, permit the treasure to forget The emotion of that providential purchase, Becoming a good citizen of the house Like its fellow-crockery. Let it dispense sandwiches at a party And not be noticed in the drunken buzz, Or little cakes at afternoon tea When cakes are in demand. Let it regain a lost habit of life, Foreseeing death in honourable breakage Somewhere between the kitchen and the shelf— To be sincerely mourned. |
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Cited by (1)
| # | Year | Bibliographical Data | Type / Abbreviation | Linked Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000- | Asien-Orient-Institut Universität Zürich | Organisation / AOI |
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