He ate and drank the precious Words－1
His Spirit grew robust－
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was Dust－
He danced along the dingy Days 5
And this Bequest of Wings
Was but a Book－What Liberty
A loosened spirit brings－
His Spirit grew robust－
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was Dust－
He danced along the dingy Days 5
And this Bequest of Wings
Was but a Book－What Liberty
A loosened spirit brings－
(F.1593/J.1587)
[1-8] This poem is about termite, and links termite to editor. Most words can be applied to both smoothly except the Wings. Termites have wings but soon detached and discarded. Books are like wings, used and left by editors.
[1] He:: a termite, or white ant, that ate and drank a book (in line seven). Words:: pages of a book.
[2-3] robust, no, poor:: a satire on editor.
[4] Dust:: result of the termite's consumption.
[5] danced along the dingy Days:: the winged termites appear usually in warm and humid days for mating.
[6] Wings:: a hint on termite; silverfish has no wings.
[7] but a Book:: but a common rule (of nature); a contemptuous view on book.
[8] A loosened Spirit:: one who cares not about books.