Full Transcript for Color - Countee Cullen

be pitied. 71 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:29.360 One gaze on her in despair, then seal your lips 72 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:40.639 until the sun discovers one is fair. End of section two, 73 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:46.360 Section three of Color by Countay Cullen. This LibriVox according 74 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:51.720 is in the public domain. Read by Mike overby Midland, Washington, 75 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:58.000 Color three, Brown boy to brown Girl, Remembrance on a 76 00:05:58.079 --> 00:06:02.839 hill for Yolande, as surely as I hold your hand 77 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:06.279 in mine, as surely as your crinkled hair belies the 78 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:09.920 enamored sun. Pretending that he dies while he still loiters 79 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:13.360 in its glossy shine, as surely as I break the 80 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:17.399 slender line that Spider linked us with. In no least 81 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:21.279 wise am I uncertain that these alien skies do not 82 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:26.879 our whole life, measure and confine no less. Once in 83 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:30.360 a land of scarlet suns and brooding winds, before the 84 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:34.680 hurricane bore down upon us, long before this pain, we 85 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:38.879 found a place where quiet water runs. I held your 86 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:42.920 hand this way upon a hill, and felt my heart forbear. 87 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:54.680 My pulse grows still. End of section three, Section four 88 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:59.279 of color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in 89 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:06.480 the public domain. Read by Mike Overbye, Miland, Washington, color four. 90 00:07:07.160 --> 00:07:12.240 A brown girl dead with two white roses on her breasts, 91 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:17.079 white candles at head and feet, dark Madonna of the grave, 92 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:22.720 she rests Lord death has found her sweet. Her mother 93 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:26.639 pawned her wedding ring to lay her out in white. 94 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:30.800 She'd be so proud, she'd dance and sing to see 95 00:07:30.839 --> 00:07:42.800 herself tonight. End of section four, Section five of color 96 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:47.720 by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 97 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:55.279 Read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, color five to a 98 00:07:55.319 --> 00:08:00.800 brown girl for Roberta. What if his gladnce is bold 99 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:04.519 and free, his mouth the lash of whips, so should 100 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:08.399 the eyes of lovers be, and so a lover's lips. 101 00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:13.000 What if no puritanic strain confines him to the nice, 102 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:15.879 he will not pass this way again, nor hunger for 103 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:21.120 you twice, since in the end consort together Magdalene and 104 00:08:21.279 --> 00:08:26.680 marry youth. Is the time for careless weather. Later lass 105 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:38.000 be wary. End of section five, Section six of Color 106 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:42.879 by Counte Cullen. The sleepervox according is in the public domain. 107 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:50.279 Read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington, Color six to a 108 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:55.320 brown boy, that brown girl's swagger gives a twitch to 109 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:59.799 beauty like a queen lad Never damn your body's it 110 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:04.639 when loveliness is seen, for there is ample room for 111 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:10.200 bliss in pride, in clean brown limbs and lips. Know 112 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:14.440 better how to kiss than how to raise white hymns. 113 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:18.559 And when your body's death gives birth to soil for 114 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:22.960 spring to crown, men will not ask if that rare 115 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:28.919 earth was white flesh once or brown. End of section six, 116 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:40.960 Section seven of Color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording 117 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:46.440 is in the public Domain, read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, 118 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:54.399 Color seven. Black Magdalens. These have no Christ to spit in, 119 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:58.960 stoop to write upon the sand, inviting him that has 120 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:03.279 not sinned, to raise the first rude hand. And if 121 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:06.759 he came, they could not buy rich ointment for his feet. 122 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:11.639 The body's sail scarce yields enough to let the body eat. 123 00:10:12.919 --> 00:10:16.799 The chaste clean ladies passed them by and draw their 124 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:21.559 skirts aside. But magdalens have a ready laugh. They wrap 125 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:26.360 their wounds in pride. They fare full ill, since Christ 126 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:31.240 forsook the cross to mount a throne, and Virtue still 127 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:37.000 is stooping down to cast the first hard stone. End 128 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:47.240 of section seven, Section eight of color by Counte Cullen. 129 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:52.039 This LibriVox according is in the public domain, read by 130 00:10:52.600 --> 00:11:01.159 Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, Color eight. Atlantic city waiter with 131 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:05.440 subtle poise. He grips his tray of delicate things to eat, 132 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:10.720 choice viands to their mouths. Half way. The ladies watch 133 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:17.399 his feet go, carving dexterous avenues through sly intricacies ten 134 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:22.159 thousand years on jungle clues alone, shaped feet like these 135 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:27.600 for him to be humble, who is proud, needs colder artifice, 136 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:32.360 though half his pride is disavowed in vain, the sacrifice 137 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:38.080 sheer through his acquiescent mask of

bland gentility. The jungle 138 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:43.399 flames like a copper cask set where the sun strikes free. 139 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:54.720 End of section eight, Section nine of color by Counte Cullen. 140 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:58.960 This LibriVox according is in the public domain. Read by 141 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:09.000 Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, Color nine, near white, ambiguous of race. 142 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:14.720 They stand by one, disowned scorn of another, not knowing 143 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:18.840 where to stretch a hand, and cry, my sister or 144 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:29.919 my brother. End of section nine, Section ten of color 145 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:35.000 by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 146 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:42.919 read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, Color ten. To blow 147 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:48.919 for Donald Duff. Locked arm in arm, they cross the way, 148 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:53.679 the black boy and the white, the golden splendor of 149 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:58.639 the day, the sable pride of night from lowered blinds. 150 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:02.000 The dark folk stare and hear the fair folk talk, 151 00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:06.720 indignant that these two should dare in unison, to walk, 152 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:12.159 oblivious to look and word. They pass and see no 153 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:17.080 wonder that lightning brilliant as a sword should blaze the 154 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:27.879 path of thunder. End of section ten, Section eleven of 155 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:32.799 color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox according is in the 156 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:40.000 public domain. Read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, Color eleven. 157 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:46.200 Harlem Wine. This is not water running here, these thick, 158 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:51.440 rebellious streams that hurtle flesh and bone, past fear, down 159 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:56.159 alleyways of dreams. This is a wine that must flow on, 160 00:13:56.639 --> 00:14:00.600 not caring how nor where. So it has ways to 161 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:05.039 flow upon where song is in the air. So it 162 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:09.879 can woo an artful flute with loose elastic lips. Its 163 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:16.399 measurement of joy compute with blithe ecstatic hips. End of 164 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:27.559 section eleven, Section twelve of color by Countey Cullen. This 165 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:34.279 LibriVox according is in the public domain. Read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, 166 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:41.759 Color twelve. Simon the Cyrenian speaks. He never spoke a 167 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:45.559 word to me, and yet he called my name. He 168 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:48.960 never gave a sign to me, and yet I knew 169 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:53.519 and came. At first. I said, I will not bear 170 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:58.000 his cross upon my back. He only seeks to place 171 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:02.679 it there because my skin is black. But he was 172 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:07.080 dying for a dream, and he was very meek, and 173 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:10.840 in his eyes there shone a gleam men journey far 174 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:16.440 to seek. It was himself my pity bot I did 175 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:20.799 for Christ alone what all of Rome could not have 176 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:27.360 wrought with bruise of lash or stone. End of section twelve, 177 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:39.279 Section thirteen of Color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording 178 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:44.759 is in the public domain. Read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, 179 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:54.519 Color thirteen incident for Eric Wahrond. Once riding in old Baltimore, 180 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:59.320 heart filled, head filled with glee. I saw a Baltimorean 181 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:03.519 keep looking straight at me. Now I was eight and 182 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:07.240 very small, and he was no whit bigger, and so 183 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:10.519 I smiled, But he poked out his tongue and called 184 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:17.080 me nigger. I saw the whole of Baltimore from May 185 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:22.240 until December, of all the things that happened there, that's 186 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:33.960 all that I remember. End of section thirteen, Section fourteen 187 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:39.519 of Color by Count A. Cullin. This LibriVox according is 188 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:45.360 in the public domain. Read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, 189 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:53.559 Color fourteen two. Who crossed the line? She crosses from 190 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:57.399 where she stood. The air she craved smoked with the 191 00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:01.559 smell of pine. It was too much to bear. She 192 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:06.279 braved her gods and crossed the line, and we were 193 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:09.839 hurt to see her go, with her fair face and 194 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:14.079 hair and veins too thin and blue to show what 195 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:19.759 mingled blood flowed there. We envied her awhile who still 196 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:24.400 pursued the hated track. Then we forgot her name, until 197 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:28.759 one day her shade came back, calm as a wave 198 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:34.079 without a crest, sorrow proud and sorrow wise, with trouble, 199 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:39.799 sucking at her breast, with tear disdainful eyes, she slipp'd 200 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:45.319 into her ancient place, and no word asked, gave none. 201 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:51.119 Only the silence in her face said seats were dear 202 00:17:51.519 --> 00:18:02.400 in the sun. End of section fourteen. Section fifteen of 203 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:07.759 color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the 204 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:16.599 public domain. Read by Mike Overby

Midland, Washington, Color fifteen two. 205 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:21.920 Who crossed a line he crosses, he rode across like 206 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:27.039 a cavalier, spurs clicking hard and loud, and where he tarried, 207 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:31.880 dropped his tear on heads he left low bowed, but 208 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:37.160 even Stephen he cried and struck his steed, an urgent blow. 209 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:41.440 He swore by youth, he was a bach with savage 210 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:46.960 oats to sow, to even up some standing scores from 211 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:51.519 every flower bed he passed. He pluck'd by threes and 212 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:57.400 fours till Wheel's world in his head. But long before 213 00:18:57.599 --> 00:19:02.920 the drug could tell, he took his anodyne with scornful grace. 214 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:09.720 He bowed farewell and retraversed the line end of section fifteen. 215 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:21.960 Section sixteen of Color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording 216 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:27.680 is in the public domain. Read by Mike Overby Midland, Washington, 217 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:35.759 Color sixteen, Saturday's Child. Some are teethed on a silver 218 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:40.920 spoon with the stars strung for a rattle. I cut 219 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:45.319 my teeth as the black raccoon for implements of battle. 220 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:51.039 Some are swaddled in silk and down and heralded by 221 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:56.039 a star. They swathed my limbs in a sackcloth gown 222 00:19:56.720 --> 00:20:01.160 on a night that was black as tar. For some 223 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:07.359 Godfather and God Dame, the opulent fairies be Dame. Poverty 224 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:13.119 gave me my name, and pain. Godfathered me for I 225 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:17.279 was born on Saturday, bad time for planting a seed 226 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:21.319 was all my father had to say, and one mouth 227 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:25.720 more to feed. Death cut the strings that gave me 228 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:30.480 life and handed me to sorrow. The only kind of 229 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:36.160 middle wife. My folks could beg or borrow. End of 230 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:48.240 section sixteen, Section seventeen of Color by Counte Cullen. This 231 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:55.119 LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, 232 00:20:56.160 --> 00:21:03.440 Color seventeen The Dance of Love after reading Renee Moron's Batullah. 233 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:08.880 All night we danced upon our windy hill, your dress 234 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:13.680 a cloud of tangled midnight hair, and love was much 235 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:16.839 too much for me to wear my leaves. The killer 236 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:21.000 roared above his kill, but you danced on. And when 237 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:24.440 some star would spill its red and white upon you, 238 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:28.839 whirling there, I sensed a hidden beauty in the air. 239 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:33.960 Though you danced on my heart and I stood still. 240 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:38.960 But suddenly a bit of morning crept along your trembling 241 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:43.400 sides of ebony. I saw the tears your tired limbs 242 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:47.920 had wept, and how your breasts heaved high, how languidly 243 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:51.519 your dark arms moved. I drew you close to me. 244 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:57.880 We flung ourselves upon our hill and slept end of 245 00:21:57.960 --> 00:22:10.640 section seventeen, Section eighteen of Color by Counte Cullen. This 246 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:17.440 LibriVox according is in the public domain. Read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington, 247 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:26.000 Color eighteen pagan prayer. Not for myself I make this prayer, 248 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:30.039 but for this race of mine that stretches forth from 249 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:35.759 shadowed places, dark hands, for bread and wine. For me, 250 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:39.880 my heart is pagan mad. My feet are never still. 251 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:44.319 But give them hearths to keep them warm in homes 252 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:49.759 high on a hill. For me, my faith lies fallowing. 253 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:54.319 I bow not till I see. But these are humble 254 00:22:54.559 --> 00:23:00.680 and believe. Bless their credulity. For me, I pay my 255 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:06.000 debts in kind and see no better way. Bless these 256 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:09.119 who turn the other cheek for love of you and 257 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:15.480 pray Our Father God, our brother Christ. So are we 258 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:20.240 taught to pray? Their kinship seems a little thing who 259 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:26.400 sorrow all the day, our Father God, our brother Christ. 260 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:31.319 Or are we bastard kin that to our plaints your 261 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:37.720 ears are closed, your doors barred from within, Our Father God, 262 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:43.759 our Brother Christ. Retrieve my race again? So shall you 263 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:50.480 compass this black sheep, this pagan heart. Amen end of 264 00:23:50.559 --> 00:24:02.480 section eighteen, Section nineteen of color by Counte Cullen. This 265 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:09.039 LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington, 266 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:16.519 Color nineteen. Wisdom cometh with the years. Now I am 267 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:20.839 young and credulous. My heart is quick to bleed at 268 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:26.079 courage in the tremulous slow sprouting of a seed. Now 269 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:30.400 I am young and sensitive. Man's lack can stab me through. 270 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:34.279 I own no stitch I would not give to him 271 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:38.400 that asked me to. Now I

am young and a 272 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:42.880 fool for love. My blood goes mad to see a 273 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:47.400 brown girl past me, like a dove that flies melodiously. 274 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:51.920 Let me be lavish of my tears and dream that 275 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:57.000 false is true. Though wisdom cometh with the years, the 276 00:24:57.119 --> 00:25:08.279 barren days come too. End of section nineteen, Section twenty 277 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:14.160 of Color by Count A. Cullen. This LibriVox recording is 278 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:19.799 in the public domain. Read by Mike Overbee, Miland Washington, 279 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:26.599 Color twenty. To my fairer brethren, though I score you 280 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:32.559 with my best treble, circumstance must confirm the verdict, lest 281 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:36.559 it be laid to chance insufficient that I match you 282 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:40.359 every coin you flip. Your demand is that I catch 283 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:44.680 you squarely on the hip. Should I wear my reads 284 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:48.640 a bit rakishly and proud I have bought my right 285 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:53.680 to it? Let it be allowed. End of Section twenty 286 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:05.880 twenty one of Color by COUNTE Cullen. The LibriVox recording 287 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:11.519 is in the public domain. Read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, 288 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:19.079 Color twenty one, Fruit of the Flower. My father is 289 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:24.359 a quiet man, with sober, steady ways for simile a 290 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:29.480 folded fan. His nights are like his days. My mother's 291 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:35.039 life is puritan, no hint of cavalier. A pool so 292 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:39.440 calm your shore, it can have little depth to fear. 293 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:44.279 And yet my father's eyes can boast how full his 294 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:48.519 life has been. There haunts them. Yet the languid ghost 295 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:53.640 of some still sacred sin. And though my mother chance 296 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:57.759 of God and of the mystic river, I've seen a 297 00:26:57.839 --> 00:27:02.000 bit of checkered sod at all her flesh a quiver. 298 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:06.599 Why should he deem it pure mischance. A son of 299 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:10.680 his is fain to do a naked tribal dance each 300 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:14.680 time he hears the rain. Why should he think it 301 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:18.839 devil's art that all my songs should be of love 302 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:25.680 and lover's broken heart and wild sweet agony. Who plants 303 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:30.319 a seed begets a bud extract of that same root. 304 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:36.319 Why marvel at the hectic blood that flushes this wild fruit? 305 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:47.240 End of section twenty one. Section twenty two of color 306 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:52.039 by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 307 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:59.680 Read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, Color twenty two. The 308 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:07.359 shroud out of color for Llewellyn Ransom Lord, being dark, 309 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:12.799 I said, I cannot bear the further touch of earth 310 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:19.599 the scented air. Lord, being dark, forewilled to that despair, 311 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:24.200 My color shrouds me in. I am as dirt beneath 312 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:28.559 my brother's heel. There is a hurt in all the 313 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:33.720 simple joys which to a child are sweet. They are contaminate, 314 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:39.160 defiled by truths of wrongs. The childish vision fails to 315 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:45.880 see too great a cost this birth entails. I strangle 316 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:49.160 in this yoke, drawn tighter than the worth of bearing 317 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:53.440 it just to be man. I am not brave enough 318 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:58.000 to pay the price in full. I lack the strength 319 00:28:58.440 --> 00:29:03.440 to sacrifice. I who have burn'd my hands upon a star, 320 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:07.440 and climb'd high hills at dawn to view the far 321 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:13.440 illimitable wonderments of Earth, for whom all cups have dripp'd 322 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:17.400 the wine of mirth, for whom the sea has strain'd 323 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:21.480 her honey'd throat till all the world was see and 324 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:26.240 I a boat unmoor'd on what strange quest I will'd 325 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:30.680 to float, who wore a many color'd coat of dreams, 326 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:36.119 Thy gift, O Lord, I whom sun dabbl'd streams have wash'd, 327 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:40.680 whose bare brown thighs have held the sun incarcerate until 328 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:45.200 his course was run, I who consider'd man a high, 329 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:51.079 perfected glass where loveliness could lie reflected. Now that I 330 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:56.319 sway athwart Truth's deep abyss, denuding man for what he 331 00:29:56.640 --> 00:30:00.759 was and is, shall breath and being so so invigal 332 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:04.599 me that I can damn my dreams to hell and 333 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:09.200 be content each new born day, anew to see the 334 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:13.720 steaming crimson vintage of my youth in Carnadine, the altar 335 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:19.480 slab of truth. Or hast thou Lord, somewhere I cannot 336 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:24.039 see a lamb imprisoned in a bush for me. Not. 337 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:27.440 So then, let me render one by one thy gifts, 338 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:32.960 while still they shine. Some little sun yet gilds these thighs. 339 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:39.440 My coat, albeit worn, still holds its colors fast, albeit torn, 340 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:42.599 My heart will laugh a

little. Yet if I may 341 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:45.920 win of thee this grace, Lord, on this high and 342 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:51.200 sacrificial hill TwixT earth and sky, to dream still pure 343 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:55.559 all that I loved and die. There is no other 344 00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:59.920 way to keep secure my wild chimeras grave locked against 345 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:04.400 the lore of truth. The small hard teeth of worms, 346 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:08.680 yet less envenomed than the mouth of truth, will bless 347 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:14.480 them into dust and happy nothingness. Lord, thou art God, 348 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:18.240 and I, Lord, what am I but dust? With dust 349 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:25.119 my place? Lord, Let me die across the earth's warm, 350 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:29.480 palpitating crust. I flung my body in embrace. I thrust 351 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:33.240 my mouth into the grass and sucked the dew, then 352 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:37.240 gave it back in tears. My anguish drew so hard 353 00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:40.559 I pressed against the ground. I felt the smallest sand 354 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:44.240 grain like a knife, and smelt the next year's flowering. 355 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:49.480 All this to speed my body's dissolution. Feign to feed 356 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:53.480 the worms, and so I groaned and spent my strength 357 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:57.920 until all passions spent. I lay full length and quivered 358 00:31:58.039 --> 00:32:02.759 like a flayed and bleeding thing. So lay till lifted 359 00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:05.880 on a great black wing that had no mate nor 360 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:09.640 flesh apparent trunk to hamper it with me. All time 361 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:13.920 had sunk into oblivion. When I awoke, the wing hung 362 00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:18.240 poised above two cliffs that broke the bowels of the earth. 363 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:24.119 In twain and cleft, the seas apart below above to 364 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:28.759 left till right. I saw what no man saw before Earth, 365 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:34.160 Hell and Heaven sign you vein and core. All things 366 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:37.720 that swim or walk, or creep or fly, all things 367 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:42.519 that live and hunger, faint and die, were made majestic then, 368 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:48.079 and magnified by sight, so clearly purged and deified. The 369 00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:51.839 smallest bug that crawls was taller than a tree. The 370 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:56.599 mustard seed loomed like a man. The earth that rides 371 00:32:56.799 --> 00:33:00.799 eternally with pain of birth and woe of taking back 372 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:04.599 her slain, laid bare her teeming bosom to my sight, 373 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:10.759 and all was struggle, gasping breath and fight. A blind worm. 374 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:14.200 Here dug tunnels to the light. And there a seed, 375 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:20.000 racked with heroic pain, thrust eager tentacles to sun and rain. 376 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:25.480 It climbed, it died. The old love conquered me to 377 00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:29.880 weep the blossom it would never be. But here a 378 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:34.000 bud one light, It burst and flowered into a rose 379 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:38.799 whose beauty challenged coward. There was no thing alive save 380 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:43.160 only I, that held life in contempt and longed to die. 381 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:49.559 And still I writhed and moaned. The curse, the curse 382 00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:56.039 than animated death. Can death be worse? Dark child of sorrow, 383 00:33:56.519 --> 00:34:00.440 mine no less? What art of mine can make thee 384 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:05.200 see and play thy part? The key to all strange 385 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:09.519 things is in thy heart. What voice was this that 386 00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:13.159 coursed like liquid fire along my flesh and turned my 387 00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:16.920 hair to wire? I raised my burning eyes, beheld a 388 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:22.079 field all multitudinous with carnal yield, a grim ensanguined mead, 389 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:26.519 whereon I saw evolve the ancient fundamental law of tooth 390 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:30.920 and talon, fist and nail and claw. There, with the 391 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:34.960 force of living, hostile hills whose clash the hemm'd in 392 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:39.960 veil with clamor fills with greater din contended fierce majestic 393 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:45.519 wills of beast with beast of man, with man in strife. 394 00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:49.360 For love of what my heart despised for life, that, 395 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:52.199 unto me at dawn was now a prayer for night. 396 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:55.519 At night, a bloody heart wrung tear for day again 397 00:34:55.960 --> 00:35:02.159 for this these groans from tangled flesh and interlocked bones. 398 00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:06.079 And no thing died that did not give a testimony 399 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:11.159 that it longed to live. Man strange composite blend of 400 00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:16.320 brute and God pushed on nor backward, glanced where last 401 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:20.239 he trod. He seemed to mount a misty ladder, flung 402 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:23.920 pendant from a cloud, yet never gained a rung. But 403 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:28.840 at his feet another tugged and clung. My heart was 404 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:34.199 still a pool of bitterness. Would yield not else, not else, 405 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:38.400 confess I spoke, although no form was there to see. 406 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:42.280 I knew an ear was there to hear. Well, let 407 00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:49.199 them fight they can, whose flesh is fair? Crisp lightning flashed, 408 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:54.159 A wave of thunder shook my wing, A pause, and 409 00:35:54.239 --> 00:36:00.840

then a speaking look. I scarce dared try my ears 410 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:04.480 or eyes for awe of what they heard, and dread 411 00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:10.280 of what they saw. For privileged beyond degree, this flesh 412 00:36:10.360 --> 00:36:14.800 beheld God and his heaven in the mesh of Lucifer's revolt. 413 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:19.559 Saw Lucifer glow like the sun and like a dulcimer. 414 00:36:19.800 --> 00:36:23.480 I heard his sin sweet voice break on the yell 415 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:28.679 of God's great warriors, Gabriel, Saint Clair and Michael Is, 416 00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:33.199 Raphael and Raphael and Strange. It was to see God 417 00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:36.559 with his back against a wall, to see christ Hew 418 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:40.800 and hack to Lucifer, pressed by the mighty pair and 419 00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:45.360 losing inch by inch clawed at the air with fevered wings, 420 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:49.760 then lost beyond repair, he tricked a mass of stars 421 00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:53.480 into his hair. He filled his hands with stars, crying 422 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:57.840 as he fell. A star's a star, although it burns 423 00:36:57.880 --> 00:37:02.960 in hell. So God was left to his divinity, omnipotent, 424 00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:07.840 at that most costly fee. There was a lesson here. 425 00:37:08.840 --> 00:37:11.800 But still the clad in me was sickophant until the 426 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:16.280 rod and cried, why mock me? Thus am I a God? 427 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:23.000 One trial? More this failing? Then I give you leave 428 00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:29.239 to die, no further need to live. Now suddenly a 429 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:33.559 strange wild music smote accord long impotent in me. A 430 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:38.800 note of jungles, primitive and subtle throbbed against my echoing breast, 431 00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:42.920 and tom Tom's sobbed in every pulse beat of my frame. 432 00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:47.519 The din, a hollow log bound with a python's skin, 433 00:37:47.760 --> 00:37:52.159 can make rot every nerve to ecstasy. And I was 434 00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:56.480 wind and sky again, and see and all sweet things 435 00:37:56.480 --> 00:38:01.280 that flourish being free, till all at once the music 436 00:38:01.480 --> 00:38:06.480 changed its key, and now it was of bitterness and death. 437 00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:12.280 The cry the lash extorts the broken breath of liberty 438 00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:16.719 in chained, And yet there ran through all a harmony 439 00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:20.079 of faith in man a knowledge all would end as 440 00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:24.199 it began. All sights and sounds and aspects of my 441 00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:29.360 race accompanied this melody, kept pace with it with music. 442 00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:33.480 All their hopes and hates were charged not to be 443 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:37.519 downed by all the fates. And somehow it was borne 444 00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:42.159 upon my brain. How being dark and living through the 445 00:38:42.199 --> 00:38:47.840 pain of it is courage more than angels have. I 446 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:53.199 knew what storms and tumults lashed the tree that grew 447 00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:58.599 this body, That I was, this cringing eye that feared 448 00:38:58.639 --> 00:39:03.800 to contemplate a changing sky. This that I groveled, whining. 449 00:39:03.960 --> 00:39:08.639 Let me die while others struggled in life's abatoir. The 450 00:39:08.760 --> 00:39:12.400 cries of all dark people near or far were billowed 451 00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:16.440 over me, a mighty surge of suffering, in which my 452 00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:22.119 puny grief must merge and lose itself. I had no 453 00:39:22.320 --> 00:39:26.679 further claim to urge for death. In shame. I raised 454 00:39:26.760 --> 00:39:30.440 my dust grimed head, And though my lips moved, not 455 00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:37.119 God knew, I said, Lord, not for what I saw 456 00:39:37.199 --> 00:39:40.880 in flesh or bone of pharaoh men not raised on 457 00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:45.719 faith alone, Lord, I will live, Persuaded by mine own. 458 00:39:46.679 --> 00:39:52.280 I cannot play the recreant to these. My spirit has 459 00:39:52.440 --> 00:39:58.480 come home that sailed the doubtful seas with the whiz 460 00:39:58.519 --> 00:40:02.079 of a sword that severs space. The wing dropped down 461 00:40:02.239 --> 00:40:05.320 at a dizzy pace and flung me on my hill, 462 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:08.800 flat on my face. Flat on my face, I lay, 463 00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:13.599 defying pain, glad of the blood in my smallest vein, 464 00:40:13.880 --> 00:40:17.400 and in my hands I clutched a loyal dream, still 465 00:40:17.559 --> 00:40:22.679 spitting fire, bright twist and coil and gleam and chisel 466 00:40:23.000 --> 00:40:27.320 like a hound's white tooth. Oh I will match you. Yet, 467 00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:32.400 I cried to truth. Right glad I was to stoop 468 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:35.880 to what I once had spurned. Glad even unto tears, 469 00:40:36.360 --> 00:40:39.760 I laughed aloud. I turned upon my back, and though 470 00:40:39.800 --> 00:40:43.000 the tears for joy would run, my sight was clear. 471 00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:49.519 I looked and saw the rising sun. End of section 472 00:40:49.679 --> 00:40:59.880 twenty two. Section twenty three of color by Counte Color. 473 00:41:00.840 --> 00:41:04.719 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by 474 00:41:05.239 --> 00:41:13.920 Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, Color twenty three Heritage for Harold Jackman, 475 00:41:15.320 --> 00:41:19.440 What is Africa to me? Copper sun or scarlet sea, 476 00:41:20.199 --> 00:41:25.039 jungle star or jungle track, Strong bronzed men or regal 477 00:41:25.079 --> 00:41:28.239 black women from whose loins I sprang when the birds 478 00:41:28.239 --> 00:41:32.639 of Eden sang one, three centuries

removed from the scenes 479 00:41:32.679 --> 00:41:37.960 his father's loved spicy grove cinnamon tree. What is Africa 480 00:41:38.159 --> 00:41:42.119 to me? So I lie, who all day long want 481 00:41:42.199 --> 00:41:46.719 no sound except the song sung by wild barbaric birds, goading, 482 00:41:46.800 --> 00:41:52.199 massive jungle herds, juggernauts of flesh that pass, trampling tall 483 00:41:52.320 --> 00:41:58.000 defiant grass, where young forest lovers lie plighting troth beneath 484 00:41:58.039 --> 00:42:02.840 the sky. So I lie, who always hear, though I 485 00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:06.320 cram against my ear both my thumbs and keep them 486 00:42:06.360 --> 00:42:11.320 there great drums throbbing through the air. So I lie, 487 00:42:11.480 --> 00:42:15.599 whose fount of pride, dear distress, and joy alide is 488 00:42:15.679 --> 00:42:19.960 my somber flesh and skin, with the dark blood damned within, 489 00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:25.119 like great pulsing tides of wine that I fear must 490 00:42:25.239 --> 00:42:29.280 burst the fine channels of the chafing net, where they 491 00:42:29.360 --> 00:42:35.559 surge and foam and fret. Africa a book one thumbs 492 00:42:35.599 --> 00:42:40.599 listlessly till slumber comes. Unremembered. Are her bats circling through 493 00:42:40.639 --> 00:42:45.000 the night, her cats crouching in the river reeds, stalking 494 00:42:45.400 --> 00:42:49.559 gentle flesh that feeds by the river brink. No more 495 00:42:49.679 --> 00:42:53.119 does the bugle throated roar cry that monarch claws have 496 00:42:53.239 --> 00:42:57.199 leapt from the scabbards where they slept, silver snakes that 497 00:42:57.360 --> 00:43:01.119 once a year doff the lovely coats you where seek 498 00:43:01.239 --> 00:43:05.159 no covert in your fear, lest a mortal eye should see. 499 00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:10.440 What's your nakedness to me? Here? No leprous flowers rear, 500 00:43:10.559 --> 00:43:15.800 fierce corollas in the air, hear no bodies sleek and wet, dripping, 501 00:43:15.960 --> 00:43:20.199 mingled rain and sweat tread the savage measures of jungle 502 00:43:20.239 --> 00:43:23.760 boys and girls in love. What is last year's snow 503 00:43:23.840 --> 00:43:28.719 to me? Last year's anything? The tree budding yearly must 504 00:43:28.760 --> 00:43:33.719 forget how it's past a rose or set bow and blossom, 505 00:43:34.079 --> 00:43:38.480 flower fruit? Even what shy bird with mute wonder at 506 00:43:38.480 --> 00:43:43.920 her travail there, meekly labored in its hair, one three 507 00:43:43.920 --> 00:43:48.320 centuries removed from the scenes his father's loved spicy grove 508 00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:53.280 cinnamon tree. What is Africa to me? So I lie, 509 00:43:53.519 --> 00:43:57.800 who find no peace night or day, no slight release 510 00:43:57.920 --> 00:44:02.400 from the unremittent beat made by cruel, padded feet walking 511 00:44:02.480 --> 00:44:06.679 through my body street, up and down they go and

back, 512 00:44:07.119 --> 00:44:11.039 treading out a jungle track. So I lie, who never 513 00:44:11.199 --> 00:44:14.760 quite safely sleep from rain at night. I can never 514 00:44:14.840 --> 00:44:17.760 rest at all when the rain begins to fall like 515 00:44:17.800 --> 00:44:20.920 a soul gone mad with pain. I must match its 516 00:44:20.960 --> 00:44:25.719 weird refrain. Ever, must I twist and squirm, writhing like 517 00:44:25.760 --> 00:44:31.679 a bated worm, while its primal measures drip through my body? Crying, strip, 518 00:44:32.280 --> 00:44:35.920 doff this new exuberance. Come and dance the lover's dance 519 00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:40.320 in an old, remembered way. Rain works on me night 520 00:44:40.480 --> 00:44:46.440 and day. Quaint outlandish heathen gods black men fashion out 521 00:44:46.519 --> 00:44:50.239 of rods, clay and brittle bits of stone, in a 522 00:44:50.440 --> 00:44:55.159 likeness like their own. My conversion came high Christ. I 523 00:44:55.239 --> 00:45:00.400 belong to Jesus Christ, preacher of humility. Heathen God are 524 00:45:00.440 --> 00:45:05.079 not to me, father son and holy ghost. So I 525 00:45:05.199 --> 00:45:09.239 make an idle boast Jesus of the twice turned cheek 526 00:45:09.719 --> 00:45:13.480 lamb of God. Although I speak with my mouth, thus 527 00:45:13.960 --> 00:45:17.880 in my heart do I play a double part. Ever 528 00:45:18.119 --> 00:45:22.119 at thy glowing altar, must my heart grow sick and falter? 529 00:45:22.760 --> 00:45:26.960 Wishing he I served were black, thinking then it would 530 00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:30.920 not lack precedent of pain to guide it. Let who 531 00:45:30.960 --> 00:45:34.679 would or might deride it? Surely then this flesh would 532 00:45:34.760 --> 00:45:39.320 know yours had borne a kindred woe. Lord, I fashion 533 00:45:39.480 --> 00:45:44.199 dark gods too daring even to give you dark, despairing 534 00:45:44.320 --> 00:45:50.079 features where crowned with dark, rebellious hair, patience wavers just 535 00:45:50.280 --> 00:45:54.559 so much as mortal grief compels, while touches, quick and 536 00:45:54.760 --> 00:46:00.760 hot of anger rise to smitten cheek and weary eyes. Lord, 537 00:46:01.159 --> 00:46:05.199 forgive me if my need sometimes shapes a human creed 538 00:46:06.559 --> 00:46:09.920 all day long and all night through one thing, only 539 00:46:10.119 --> 00:46:14.039 must I do quench my pride and cool my blood, 540 00:46:14.519 --> 00:46:18.519 lest I perish in the flood lest a hidden ember 541 00:46:18.719 --> 00:46:22.159 set timber that I thought was wet, burning like the 542 00:46:22.320 --> 00:46:28.039 driest flax, melting like the merest wax. Lest the grave 543 00:46:28.159 --> 00:46:32.639 restore its dead. Not yet has my heart or head 544 00:46:33.079 --> 00:46:38.880 in the least way realized they and I are civilized. 545 00:46:40.360 --> 00:46:49.760 End of section twenty three, Section twenty four of Color 546 00:46:50.239 --> 00:46:54.239 by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox according is in the public domain. 547 00:46:55.119 --> 00:47:01.719 Read by Mike overby Midland, Washington, epitaphs one for a poet. 548 00:47:02.960 --> 00:47:06.320 I have wrapped my dreams and a silken cloth, and 549 00:47:06.440 --> 00:47:09.760 laid them away in a box of gold, where long 550 00:47:09.840 --> 00:47:12.760 will cling the lips of the moth. I have wrapped 551 00:47:12.800 --> 00:47:16.760 my dreams in a silken cloth. I hide no hate. 552 00:47:17.159 --> 00:47:19.679 I am not even wroth who found her its breath, 553 00:47:19.800 --> 00:47:23.400 so keen and cold. I have wrapped my dreams in 554 00:47:23.440 --> 00:47:26.960 a silken cloth and laid them away in a box 555 00:47:27.000 --> 00:47:37.079 of gold. End of section twenty four, Section twenty five 556 00:47:37.199 --> 00:47:41.639 of Color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in 557 00:47:41.679 --> 00:47:48.559 the public domain, read by Mike overby Midland, Washington. Epitaph 558 00:47:48.760 --> 00:47:53.960 two for my grandmother, this lovely flower fell to seed, 559 00:47:54.559 --> 00:47:58.199 worked gently, sun and rain. She held it as her 560 00:47:58.280 --> 00:48:02.800 dying creed that she would roh again. End of section 561 00:48:02.880 --> 00:48:13.079 twenty five, Section twenty six of Color by Count A. Cullen. 562 00:48:13.960 --> 00:48:18.039 The LibriVox recordings in the public domain, read by Mike 563 00:48:18.159 --> 00:48:26.159 overby Midland, Washington. Epitaphs three for a cynic birth is 564 00:48:26.199 --> 00:48:30.039 a crime all men commit. Life gives them time to 565 00:48:30.119 --> 00:48:34.480 atone for it. Death ends the rhyme as the price 566 00:48:34.559 --> 00:48:44.599 for it. End of section twenty six, Section twenty seven 567 00:48:44.920 --> 00:48:50.039 of Color by Count Ay Cullen. This LibriVox recording is 568 00:48:50.039 --> 00:48:55.639 in the public domain, read by Mike overby Midland, Washington. 569 00:48:56.760 --> 00:49:02.440 Epitaphs four for a singer death clogged. This flute at 570 00:49:02.480 --> 00:49:07.679 its highest note song sleeps here mute in this breathless throat. 571 00:49:08.800 --> 00:49:18.360 End of section twenty seven, Section twenty eight of Color 572 00:49:18.920 --> 00:49:23.719 by Countay Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 573 00:49:24.719 --> 00:49:31.360 read by Mike overby Midland, Washington Epitaphs five for a 574 00:49:31.440 --> 00:49:37.159 virgin for forty years, I shunned the lust inherent in 575 00:49:37.239 --> 00:49:41.840 my clay death only was so amorous I let him 576 00:49:41.880 --> 00:49:52.039 have his way. End of section twenty eight. Section twenty 577 00:49:52.119 --> 00:49:57.159 nine of Color by Countay Cullen. This LibriVox recording is 578 00:49:57.159 --> 00:50:02.000 in the public domain, read by Mike Overby Midland, Washington, 579 00:50:02.760 --> 00:50:08.400

Epitaph's six for a lady, I know she even thinks 580 00:50:08.519 --> 00:50:12.400 that up in heaven, her class lies late and snores, 581 00:50:13.079 --> 00:50:18.559 while poor black cherubs rise at seven to do celestial chores. 582 00:50:20.079 --> 00:50:29.719 End of section twenty nine, Section thirty of Color by 583 00:50:29.760 --> 00:50:34.079 Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 584 00:50:35.159 --> 00:50:42.119 read by Mike overby Midland Washington, Epitaphs seven for a 585 00:50:42.159 --> 00:50:47.159 lovely lady, A creature slender as a read and sad 586 00:50:47.239 --> 00:50:51.719 eyed as a doe lies here. But take my word 587 00:50:51.760 --> 00:50:55.800 for it, and do not pry below. End of section 588 00:50:55.920 --> 00:51:07.159 thirty Section thirty one of Color by Counte Cullen. This 589 00:51:07.239 --> 00:51:11.639 LibriVox recording is in the public domain, read by Mike 590 00:51:11.760 --> 00:51:20.119 overby Midland, Washington. Epitaphs eight for an atheist mountains cover 591 00:51:20.280 --> 00:51:26.079 me like rain, billows, whirl and rise, hide me from 592 00:51:26.119 --> 00:51:32.039 the stabbing pain in his reproachful eyes end of section 593 00:51:32.119 --> 00:51:42.480 thirty one, Section thirty two of Color by Count A. Cullen. 594 00:51:43.320 --> 00:51:47.079 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, read by 595 00:51:47.480 --> 00:51:54.400 Mike Overby Midland, Washington. Epitaphs nine for an evolutionist and 596 00:51:54.480 --> 00:51:58.960 his opponent showing that our ways agreed death is proof 597 00:51:59.039 --> 00:52:04.079 enough body seeks the primal clay soul transcends the slough 598 00:52:05.239 --> 00:52:14.519 end of section thirty two, Section thirty three of Color 599 00:52:15.039 --> 00:52:19.320 by COUNTA. Culin. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 600 00:52:20.400 --> 00:52:28.159 Read by Mike overby Midland, Washington. Epitaphs ten for an anarchist, 601 00:52:28.840 --> 00:52:32.679 what matters that I stormed and swore, not Samson with 602 00:52:32.719 --> 00:52:35.440 an ass's jaw, Not though a forest of hair he 603 00:52:35.519 --> 00:52:40.719 wore could break deaths at a Mantyne law end of 604 00:52:40.760 --> 00:52:51.159 section thirty three, Section thirty four of Color by COUNTA. Culen. 605 00:52:51.920 --> 00:52:55.719 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by 606 00:52:56.239 --> 00:53:03.719 Mike overby Midland Washington, halfs eleven. For a magician, I 607 00:53:04.039 --> 00:53:08.079 whose magic could explore ways others might not guess or see. 608 00:53:08.760 --> 00:53:12.760 Now embarred behind a door that has no open sesame 609 00:53:14.079 --> 00:53:23.440 end of section thirty four, Section thirty five of Color 610 00:53:23.920 --> 00:53:28.360 by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox according is in the public domain. 611 00:53:29.400 --> 00:53:37.079 Read by Mike overby Midland, Washington, Epitaphs twelve. For a pessimist, 612 00:53:38.360 --> 00:53:41.719 he wore his coffin for a hat, calamity his cape, 613 00:53:42.239 --> 00:53:45.800 while on his face a death's head sat and waved 614 00:53:45.800 --> 00:53:55.639 a bit of crape. End of section thirty five, Section 615 00:53:55.760 --> 00:54:01.239 thirty six of Color by Countay Cullen. This LibriVox recording 616 00:54:01.320 --> 00:54:06.599 is in the public domain, read by Mike Overby Midland, Washington, 617 00:54:07.760 --> 00:54:13.920 Epitaphs thirteen. For a mouthy woman, God and the devil 618 00:54:14.400 --> 00:54:19.599 still are wrangling, which should have her? Which repel? God 619 00:54:19.679 --> 00:54:24.039 wants no discord in his heaven. Satan has enough in hell. 620 00:54:25.639 --> 00:54:35.119 End of section thirty six, Section thirty seven of Color 621 00:54:35.679 --> 00:54:40.199 by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 622 00:54:41.239 --> 00:54:48.760 read by Mike overby Midland, Washington, Epitaphs fourteen. For a philosopher, 623 00:54:49.840 --> 00:54:52.960 here lies one who tried to solve the riddle of 624 00:54:53.159 --> 00:54:57.119 being and breath, The wee blind mole that gnaws his 625 00:54:57.199 --> 00:55:02.719 bones tells him the answer is death. End of section 626 00:55:02.840 --> 00:55:13.159 thirty seven, Section thirty eight of Color by Count A Culen. 627 00:55:14.000 --> 00:55:17.960 This LibriVox according is in the public domain, read by 628 00:55:18.440 --> 00:55:25.760 Mike overby Midland, Washington, epitaphs fifteen. For an unsuccessful sinner, 629 00:55:26.920 --> 00:55:30.960 I boasted, My sins were sure to sink me out 630 00:55:31.000 --> 00:55:35.199 of all sound and sight of glory, And the most 631 00:55:35.360 --> 00:55:39.880 I've won for all my pains is a century of 632 00:55:40.000 --> 00:55:51.320 purgatory end of section thirty eight, Section thirty nine of 633 00:55:51.679 --> 00:55:56.039 Color by Count A. Cullen. This LibriVox according is in 634 00:55:56.079 --> 00:56:03.719 the public domain, read by Mike overby Midland Washington Epitaphs sixteen. 635 00:56:04.559 --> 00:56:08.559 For a fool on earth, the wise man makes the 636 00:56:08.679 --> 00:56:13.119 rules and is the fool's adviser. But here the wiser 637 00:56:13.239 --> 00:56:17.360 as the fools, and no man is the wiser. End 638 00:56:17.400 --> 00:56:28.159 of section thirty nine, Section forty of Color by Countey Cullen. 639 00:56:28.960 --> 00:56:33.199 This LibriVox according is in the public domain, read by 640 00:56:33.760 --> 00:56:41.159 Mike overby Midland Washington, Epitaphs seventeen. For one who gaily 641 00:56:41.280 --> 00:56:45.360 sowed his oats. My days were a thing for me 642 00:56:45.639 --> 00:56:49.679 to live, for others to deplore. I took of life 643 00:56:49.840 --> 00:56:56.719 all it could give, rind, inner, fruit, and core. End 644 00:56:56.760 --> 00:57:06.760 of section forty section forty one of color by

count 645 00:57:06.840 --> 00:57:10.320 A Cullen. This LibriVox according is in the public domain, 646 00:57:11.400 --> 00:57:18.280 read by Mike overby Midland, Washington Epitaphs eighteen for a 647 00:57:18.320 --> 00:57:23.880 skeptic blood brother unto Thomas, whose weak faith doubt kept 648 00:57:23.960 --> 00:57:28.920 in trammels. His little credence strained at gnats, but grew 649 00:57:29.079 --> 00:57:39.960 robust on camels. End of section forty one, section forty 650 00:57:39.960 --> 00:57:45.360 two of color by count A Cullen. This LibriVox according 651 00:57:45.480 --> 00:57:50.559 is in the public domain, read by Mike overby Midland, 652 00:57:50.639 --> 00:57:59.199 Washington Epitaphs nineteen four. Fatalist life ushers some as airs 653 00:57:59.199 --> 00:58:04.320 elect to weather, wind and gale. Here lies a man 654 00:58:04.440 --> 00:58:08.679 whose ships were wrecked ere he could hoist a sail. 655 00:58:10.119 --> 00:58:19.719 End of section forty two, section forty three of color 656 00:58:20.199 --> 00:58:24.599 by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 657 00:58:25.760 --> 00:58:33.159 read by Mike overby Midland, Washington, Epitaphs twenty for Daughters 658 00:58:33.199 --> 00:58:40.079 of Magdalen. Ours is the ancient story Delicate flowers of sin, 659 00:58:41.360 --> 00:58:46.519 lilies arrayed in glory that would not toil nor spin. 660 00:58:48.280 --> 00:58:57.760 End of section forty three, Section forty four of color 661 00:58:58.280 --> 00:59:02.880 by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 662 00:59:03.920 --> 00:59:10.880 read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington. Apaitaphs twenty one. For 663 00:59:11.039 --> 00:59:15.960 a wanton to men, no more than so much cover 664 00:59:16.280 --> 00:59:20.159 for them to doff or try. I found in death 665 00:59:20.360 --> 00:59:26.000 a constant lover here in his arms I lie end 666 00:59:26.039 --> 00:59:36.280 of section forty four, Section forty five of color by 667 00:59:36.320 --> 00:59:40.639 Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 668 00:59:41.800 --> 00:59:49.119 read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington. Apitaphs twenty two for 669 00:59:49.239 --> 00:59:56.840 a preacher vanity of vanities, All is vanity, yea, even 670 00:59:56.920 --> 01:00:01.599 the rod he flays you with crumbled and turned to clay. 671 01:00:02.920 --> 01:00:12.519 End of section forty five, Section forty six of color 672 01:00:13.039 --> 01:00:17.440 by Countay Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 673 01:00:18.480 --> 01:00:25.239 read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington. Epitaphs twenty three for 674 01:00:25.400 --> 01:00:29.840 one who died singing of death, he whose might you 675 01:00:30.039 --> 01:00:34.960 sang so well living, will not let you rust death 676 01:00:35.320 --> 01:00:38.880 has set the golden bell pealing in the courts of 677 01:00:39.000 --> 01:00:49.320 dust end of section forty six, Section forty seven of 678 01:00:49.840 --> 01:00:54.239 color by count Ay Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in 679 01:00:54.239 --> 01:01:01.280 the public domain, read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, Epitaphs 680 01:01:01.360 --> 01:01:07.239 twenty four for John Keats apostle of beauty, not writ 681 01:01:07.360 --> 01:01:11.320 in water, nor in mist, sweet lyric throat, thy name, 682 01:01:12.039 --> 01:01:15.639 thy singing lips, that cold death kissed have seared his 683 01:01:15.800 --> 01:01:26.199 own with flame end of section forty seven, Section forty 684 01:01:26.199 --> 01:01:31.199 eight of color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is 685 01:01:31.239 --> 01:01:36.519 in the public domain, read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, 686 01:01:37.360 --> 01:01:44.079 Epitaphs twenty five for Hazel Hall, American poet, soul troubled 687 01:01:44.239 --> 01:01:47.840 at the febril ways of breath, her timid breast shot 688 01:01:48.000 --> 01:01:51.960 through with faint alarm. Yes, I'm a stranger here, she 689 01:01:52.039 --> 01:01:54.199 said to death. It's kind of you to let me 690 01:01:54.239 --> 01:02:03.760 take your arm. End of section forty eight, section forty 691 01:02:03.840 --> 01:02:09.119 nine of color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is 692 01:02:09.159 --> 01:02:14.440 in the public domain, read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, 693 01:02:15.400 --> 01:02:21.840 Epitaphs twenty six for Paul Lawrence Dunbar born of the 694 01:02:21.880 --> 01:02:25.519 sorrowful of heart, mirth was a crown upon his head. 695 01:02:26.360 --> 01:02:30.719 Pride kept his twisted lips apart in jest to hide 696 01:02:30.760 --> 01:02:41.280 a heart that bled. End of section forty nine, Section 697 01:02:41.400 --> 01:02:46.800 fifty of color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is 698 01:02:46.840 --> 01:02:52.159 in the public domain. Read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, 699 01:02:53.280 --> 01:02:59.360 Epitaphs twenty seven for Joseph Conrad, not of the dust, 700 01:02:59.599 --> 01:03:03.360 but of the wave, his final couch should be. They 701 01:03:03.440 --> 01:03:07.079 lie not easy in a grave, who once have known 702 01:03:07.119 --> 01:03:11.880 the sea? How shall Earth's meager bed enthrall the heartiest 703 01:03:12.039 --> 01:03:22.400 seamen of them all? End of section fifty section fifty 704 01:03:22.440 --> 01:03:27.960 one of color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is 705 01:03:28.000 --> 01:03:33.960 in the public domain. Read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, 706 01:03:34.960 --> 01:03:41.039 Epitaphs twenty eight For myself, what's in this grave is 707 01:03:41.159 --> 01:03:45.000 worth your tear. There's more than the eye can see. 708 01:03:45.800 --> 01:03:52.440 Folly and pride and love lie here buried alive with me. 709 01:03:53.760 --> 01:04:03.360 End of section fifty one, Section fifty two of color 710 01:04:03.840 --> 01:04:08.119 by Count A

Cullen. This is a LibriVox recording. All 711 01:04:08.159 --> 01:04:14.639 LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. Read by Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, 712 01:04:15.599 --> 01:04:23.119 Epitaphs twenty nine All the dead priest and layman, virgin strumpet, 713 01:04:23.719 --> 01:04:29.119 good and ill commingled sleep, waiting till the dreadful trumpet 714 01:04:29.639 --> 01:04:34.800 separates the wolves and sheep. End of section fifty two, 715 01:04:40.719 --> 01:04:45.920 Section fifty three of Colour by Count Ay Cullen. This 716 01:04:46.000 --> 01:04:50.400 LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by Mike 717 01:04:50.519 --> 01:04:56.800 Overby Midland, Washington. For love's sake, one, Oh, for a 718 01:04:56.800 --> 01:05:02.159 little while, be kind for ruth marine, Oh, for a 719 01:05:02.199 --> 01:05:05.559 little while, be kind to me, who stands in such 720 01:05:05.559 --> 01:05:09.280 imperious need of you, And for a fitful space. Let 721 01:05:09.320 --> 01:05:13.960 my head lie haply on your passion's frigid breast, although 722 01:05:14.000 --> 01:05:18.360 yourself no more resigned to me than on all bitter yesterdays. 723 01:05:18.400 --> 01:05:22.719 I knew this half a loaf from sumptuous crumbs, your shy, 724 01:05:22.880 --> 01:05:27.840 renegging hand lets fall shall make me blessed. The sturdy 725 01:05:27.880 --> 01:05:31.000 homage of a love that throws its strength about you 726 01:05:31.559 --> 01:05:35.440 dawn and dusk at bed and board is not for scorn. 727 01:05:36.320 --> 01:05:40.800 When all is said with final aimen certitude, who knows 728 01:05:41.039 --> 01:05:45.360 but Divus found a matchless fragrance fled when Lazarus no 729 01:05:45.440 --> 01:05:56.039 longer shocked his nose end of section fifty three, Section 730 01:05:56.199 --> 01:06:01.760 fifty four of Color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording 731 01:06:01.800 --> 01:06:07.239 is in the public domain, read by Mike overby Midland Washington, 732 01:06:08.599 --> 01:06:14.280 for love's sake. Two, If you should go, love, leave 733 01:06:14.320 --> 01:06:17.719 me like the light the gently passing day, we would 734 01:06:17.800 --> 01:06:20.480 not know but for the night, when it has slipped away, 735 01:06:21.519 --> 01:06:25.719 go quietly. A dream, when done, should leave no trace 736 01:06:25.800 --> 01:06:29.599 that it has lived, except a gleam across the dreamer's face. 737 01:06:30.880 --> 01:06:40.320 End of section fifty four, Section fifty five of Color 738 01:06:40.840 --> 01:06:45.039 by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox according is in the public domain, 739 01:06:46.000 --> 01:06:52.960 read by Mike overby Midland Washington, for love's sake. Three 740 01:06:53.159 --> 01:06:57.119 to one who said me nay this much the gods 741 01:06:57.239 --> 01:07:00.480 vouchsafe to day that we two lie in the clover, 742 01:07:00.800 --> 01:07:05.239 watching the heavens dip and sway with galleons sailing over. 743 01:07:06.599 --> 01:07:09.519 This much is granted for an hour. That we are 744 01:07:09.559 --> 01:07:12.239 young and tender, that I am be and you are 745 01:07:12.320 --> 01:07:18.280 flower honeymouth than swaying slender. This sweet of sweets is 746 01:07:18.320 --> 01:07:22.280 ours now to wander through the land, plucking an apple 747 01:07:22.360 --> 01:07:26.679 from its bough, to toss from hand to hand. Nothing 748 01:07:26.760 --> 01:07:31.159 is certain joy nor sorrow except the hour we know it. 749 01:07:31.840 --> 01:07:35.639 Oh where my heart to day tomorrow? Who knows where 750 01:07:35.639 --> 01:07:39.400 the winds will blow it? End of section fifty five, 751 01:07:45.360 --> 01:07:51.039 Section fifty six of Color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox 752 01:07:51.039 --> 01:07:56.840 recording is in the public domain, read by Mike overby Midland, Washington, 753 01:07:57.920 --> 01:08:04.920 for love's sake, for advice to youth, for guillume, since 754 01:08:04.960 --> 01:08:08.280 little time is granted here for pride in pain or play, 755 01:08:08.880 --> 01:08:12.119 since blood soon cools before that fear that makes our 756 01:08:12.159 --> 01:08:16.319 prowess clay. If lips to kiss are freely met, lad 757 01:08:16.800 --> 01:08:20.279 be not proud nor shy. There are no lips where 758 01:08:20.319 --> 01:08:25.319 men forget and undesiring lie. End of section fifty six, 759 01:08:31.319 --> 01:08:36.399 Section fifty seven of Color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox 760 01:08:36.439 --> 01:08:42.199 according is in the public domain, read by Mike Overby Midland, Washington, 761 01:08:43.359 --> 01:08:49.880 for love's sake. Five Caprice, I'll tell him when he comes, 762 01:08:49.880 --> 01:08:53.720 she said, body and baggage to go, though the night 763 01:08:53.800 --> 01:08:56.600 be darker than my hair, and the ground be hard 764 01:08:56.640 --> 01:09:01.000 with snow. But when he came, with his gay black 765 01:09:01.039 --> 01:09:05.039 head thrown back and his lips apart, she flipped a 766 01:09:05.119 --> 01:09:09.159 light hair from his coat and sobbed against his heart. 767 01:09:10.560 --> 01:09:19.760 End of section fifty seven, Section fifty eight of Color 768 01:09:20.239 --> 01:09:24.439 by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 769 01:09:25.560 --> 01:09:32.800 read by Mike Overby Midland, Washington, for Love's sake. Six Sacrament. 770 01:09:34.039 --> 01:09:37.319 She gave her body for my meat, her soul to 771 01:09:37.399 --> 01:09:41.239 be my wine, and prayed that I be made complete 772 01:09:41.600 --> 01:09:48.039 in sunlight and starshine. With such abandoned grace she gave 773 01:09:48.199 --> 01:09:52.680 of all that passion taught her. She never knew her 774 01:09:52.760 --> 01:09:58.520 tidle wave cast bread on the stagnant water. End of 775 01:09:58.560 --> 01:10:10.720 section fifty eight, Section fifty nine of Color by Counte Cullen. 776 01:10:11.359 --> 01:10:15.199 This LibriVox

recording is in the public domain, read by 777 01:10:15.640 --> 01:10:23.399 Mike Overby Midland, Washington, for love's Sake. Seven Bread and wine, 778 01:10:23.720 --> 01:10:27.479 from death of Star to new Star's birth. This ache 779 01:10:27.520 --> 01:10:31.399 of limb, this throb of head, this sweaty shop, this 780 01:10:31.560 --> 01:10:35.760 smell of earth. For this we pray give daily bread, 781 01:10:36.840 --> 01:10:41.039 then tenuous with dreams the night, the feel of soft 782 01:10:41.079 --> 01:10:45.119 brown hands in mine, strength from your lips for one 783 01:10:45.159 --> 01:10:50.239 more fight. Bread's not so dry when dipped in wine. 784 01:10:50.880 --> 01:11:01.239 End of section fifty nine, Section sixty of by Count 785 01:11:01.239 --> 01:11:05.119 A Cullen. This LibriVox according is in the public Domain, 786 01:11:06.000 --> 01:11:11.840 read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington. For Love's Sake, eight 787 01:11:12.600 --> 01:11:19.039 Spring reminiscence. My sweet you sang, and sweet I sang, 788 01:11:19.399 --> 01:11:22.560 and sweet we sang together, glad to be young as 789 01:11:22.600 --> 01:11:26.079 the world was young. Two colts too strong for a tether. 790 01:11:27.239 --> 01:11:30.239 Shall ever as spring be like that spring, or apple 791 01:11:30.279 --> 01:11:33.720 blossoms as white? Or ever clover smell like the clover 792 01:11:33.800 --> 01:11:37.760 we lay upon that night? Shall ever your hand lie 793 01:11:37.760 --> 01:11:41.319 in my hand pulsing to it? I wonder? Or have 794 01:11:41.479 --> 01:11:47.079 the gods, being jealous gods envied us our thunder? End 795 01:11:47.119 --> 01:11:57.640 of section sixty Section sixty one of color by Count 796 01:11:57.680 --> 01:12:01.600 A Cullen Li LibriVox co is in the public domain, 797 01:12:02.760 --> 01:12:11.840 read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington, Veria. One suicide chant. 798 01:12:12.560 --> 01:12:16.840 I am the seed the sower sowed. I am the 799 01:12:16.960 --> 01:12:21.359 deed his hand bestowed upon the world. Censure me not 800 01:12:21.760 --> 01:12:25.159 if a rank weed flood the garden plot instead of 801 01:12:25.199 --> 01:12:30.159 a bud to be unfurled, Bridle your blame. If the 802 01:12:30.199 --> 01:12:33.319 deed proves less than the brooded fame with which it 803 01:12:33.439 --> 01:12:38.600 came from nothingness. The seed of a weed cannot be flowered, 804 01:12:39.199 --> 01:12:43.680 nor a hero's deed spring from a coward, pull up 805 01:12:43.720 --> 01:12:48.359 the weed, bring plow and mower, then fetch new seed 806 01:12:49.000 --> 01:12:53.720 for the hand of the sower. End of section sixty 807 01:12:53.720 --> 01:13:06.319 Onection sixty two of Color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox 808 01:13:06.319 --> 01:13:15.000 recording is in the public domain, read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington, Veria. Two. 809 01:13:16.159 --> 01:13:22.239 She of the dancing Feet sings to Oddie Graham, And 810 01:13:22.359 --> 01:13:25.439 what would I do in Heaven? Pray me with my 811 01:13:25.560 --> 01:13:29.640 dancing feet and limbs like apple boughs that sway when 812 01:13:29.680 --> 01:13:33.880 the gusty rain winds beat? And how would I thrive 813 01:13:34.119 --> 01:13:37.960 in a perfect place where dancing would be sin with 814 01:13:38.199 --> 01:13:41.520 not a man to love my face, nor an arm 815 01:13:41.680 --> 01:13:46.119 to hold me in? The seraphs and the cherubim would 816 01:13:46.199 --> 01:13:49.880 be too proud to bend to sing the fairy tunes 817 01:13:49.920 --> 01:13:54.760 that brim my heart from end to end. The wistful 818 01:13:54.920 --> 01:13:58.840 angels down in hell will smile to see my face 819 01:13:59.680 --> 01:14:04.800 and understand because they fell from that all perfect place. 820 01:14:06.359 --> 01:14:16.079 End of section sixty two, Section sixty three of Color 821 01:14:16.720 --> 01:14:21.199 by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, 822 01:14:21.960 --> 01:14:29.800 read by Mike Overbye in Midland, Washington, Veria. Three. Judas 823 01:14:29.880 --> 01:14:34.840 is scariot. I think when Judas's mother heard his first 824 01:14:34.880 --> 01:14:38.800 faint cry that night that he was born, that worships 825 01:14:38.800 --> 01:14:42.880 stirred her at the sound in sight, she thought this 826 01:14:43.079 --> 01:14:46.199 was as fair a frame as flesh and blood had worn. 827 01:14:46.680 --> 01:14:49.760 I think she made this lovely name for him, Star 828 01:14:50.199 --> 01:14:55.000 of my mourn, As any mother's son, he grew from 829 01:14:55.039 --> 01:14:58.680 spring to crimson spring. I think his eyes were black 830 01:14:59.039 --> 01:15:03.720 or blue, his hair curled like a ring. His mother's 831 01:15:03.720 --> 01:15:07.079 heart strings were a lute, wherein all day he played, 832 01:15:07.800 --> 01:15:13.479 she listened, wrapped, abandoned mute to every note he made. 833 01:15:14.399 --> 01:15:17.279 I think he knew the growing Christ and played with 834 01:15:17.359 --> 01:15:22.319 Mary's son, And where mere mortal craft sufficed there Judas 835 01:15:22.479 --> 01:15:26.640 may have won. Perhaps he little cared or knew so 836 01:15:26.840 --> 01:15:30.399 folly wise is youth, that he whose hand his hand 837 01:15:30.439 --> 01:15:35.720 clung to was flesh embodied truth. Until one day he 838 01:15:35.720 --> 01:15:39.640 heard young Christ, with far off eyes agleam, tell of 839 01:15:39.720 --> 01:15:45.399 a mystic solemn tryst between him and dream. And Judas 840 01:15:45.439 --> 01:15:49.920 listened wonder eyed until the Christ was through. Then said, 841 01:15:50.399 --> 01:15:54.119 and I though good, betide or ill, will go with you. 842 01:15:55.239 --> 01:15:59.239 And so he followed heard Christ preach, saw how by 843 01:15:59.319 --> 01:16:03.239 miracle the blind man saw the dumb God's speech. The 844 01:16:03.359 --> 01:16:07.439 leper found him well. And Judas, in

those holy hours 845 01:16:07.800 --> 01:16:11.560 loved Christ and loved him much. And in his heart 846 01:16:11.720 --> 01:16:16.439 he sensed dead flowers bloom at the Master's touch. And 847 01:16:16.560 --> 01:16:20.680 when Christ felt the death hour creep with sullen, drunken lurch, 848 01:16:21.199 --> 01:16:24.399 he said to Peter, feed my sheep and build my 849 01:16:24.439 --> 01:16:28.159 holy church. He gave to each the special task that 850 01:16:28.319 --> 01:16:31.640 should be his to do. But reaching one, I hear 851 01:16:31.720 --> 01:16:36.800 him ask what shall I give to you? Then Judas, 852 01:16:36.840 --> 01:16:39.920 in his hot desire, said, give me what you will. 853 01:16:41.159 --> 01:16:45.479 Christ spoke to him with words of fire. Then Judas, 854 01:16:45.960 --> 01:16:49.720 you must kill one whom you love, one who loves 855 01:16:49.760 --> 01:16:53.640 you as only God's son can. This is the work 856 01:16:53.680 --> 01:16:58.399 for you to do to save the creature. Man and 857 01:16:58.560 --> 01:17:01.159 men to come will curse you on name and hold 858 01:17:01.239 --> 01:17:04.560 you up to scorn. In all the world will be 859 01:17:04.680 --> 01:17:09.720 no shame like yours. This is love's thorn. It takes 860 01:17:09.840 --> 01:17:15.079 strong will of heart and soul. But man is under ban. Think, Judas, 861 01:17:15.479 --> 01:17:19.920 can you play this role in Heaven's mystic plan? So 862 01:17:20.079 --> 01:17:23.680 Judas took the sorry part, went out and spoke the word, 863 01:17:24.119 --> 01:17:26.960 and gave the kiss that broke his heart. But no 864 01:17:26.960 --> 01:17:30.600 one knew or heard, and no one knew what poison 865 01:17:30.800 --> 01:17:34.880 ate into his palm that day, where bright and damned 866 01:17:35.239 --> 01:17:40.720 the monstrous weight of thirty white coins lay. It was 867 01:17:40.800 --> 01:17:45.520 not death that Judas found upon a kindly tree. The 868 01:17:45.600 --> 01:17:49.000 man was dead long ere he bound his throat as 869 01:17:49.079 --> 01:17:53.159 final fee. And who can say if on that day, 870 01:17:53.640 --> 01:17:57.680 when gates of pearl swung wide, Christ did not go 871 01:17:57.840 --> 01:18:03.079 his honored way with Judas by his side. I think 872 01:18:03.199 --> 01:18:08.079 somewhere a table round owns Jesus as its head, and 873 01:18:08.199 --> 01:18:12.199 there the saintly twelve are found, who followed where he led, 874 01:18:13.159 --> 01:18:16.800 And Judas sits down with the rest, and none shrinks 875 01:18:16.800 --> 01:18:20.640 from his hand, For there the worst is as the best, 876 01:18:21.319 --> 01:18:26.199 and there they understand. And you may think of Judas 877 01:18:26.239 --> 01:18:29.960 friend as one who broke his word, whose neck came 878 01:18:30.159 --> 01:18:33.720 to a bitter end for giving up his lord. But 879 01:18:33.880 --> 01:18:36.520 I would rather think of him as the little Jewish 880 01:18:36.640 --> 01:18:42.279

lad who gave young Christ heart, soul and limb and 881 01:18:42.359 --> 01:18:52.239 all the love he had. End of section sixty three, 882 01:18:52.560 --> 01:18:58.600 Section sixty four of color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox 883 01:18:58.600 --> 01:19:07.039 according is in the Public Dome main read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington, Veria. 884 01:19:07.079 --> 01:19:14.279 Four The wise for a Lain Locke. Dead men are wisest, 885 01:19:14.800 --> 01:19:17.600 for they know how far the roots of flowers go, 886 01:19:18.239 --> 01:19:22.960 how long a seed must rot to grow. Dead Men 887 01:19:23.000 --> 01:19:28.079 alone bear frost and rain on throbless heart and heatless brain, 888 01:19:28.680 --> 01:19:33.520 and feel no stir of joy or pain. Dead Men 889 01:19:33.560 --> 01:19:37.640 alone are satiate. They sleep and dream and have no 890 01:19:37.800 --> 01:19:44.520 weight to curb their rest of love or hate. Strange 891 01:19:44.560 --> 01:19:48.520 men should flee their company, or think me strange who 892 01:19:48.560 --> 01:19:53.119 long to be wrapt in their cool immunity? End of 893 01:19:53.199 --> 01:20:04.800 section sixty four, Section sixty five of Color by Counte Culin. 894 01:20:05.600 --> 01:20:09.279 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by 895 01:20:09.760 --> 01:20:17.840 Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, Veria. Five. Mary, mother of Christ. 896 01:20:19.079 --> 01:20:22.880 That night she felt those searching hands grip deep upon 897 01:20:22.920 --> 01:20:27.000 her breast. She laughed and sang a silly tune to 898 01:20:27.199 --> 01:20:32.039 lull her babe to rest. That night she kissed his 899 01:20:32.159 --> 01:20:36.720 coral lips. How could she know the rest? End of 900 01:20:36.760 --> 01:20:48.239 section sixty five, Section sixty six of Color by Counte Culin. 901 01:20:49.239 --> 01:20:53.039 This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Read by 902 01:20:53.399 --> 01:21:03.800 Mike Overby, Midland, Washington, Veria. Six. Die soul. There is 903 01:21:03.920 --> 01:21:07.840 no stronger thing than song in sun and rain and 904 01:21:07.920 --> 01:21:12.079 leafy trees. It wafts the timid soul along on crested 905 01:21:12.159 --> 01:21:17.439 waves of melodies body, but leaves the body bear to 906 01:21:17.560 --> 01:21:22.640 feed its hunger with its very need soul. Although the 907 01:21:22.720 --> 01:21:27.319 frenzied belly writhes, yet render up in song your tithes. 908 01:21:27.920 --> 01:21:32.479 Song is the weakling's oaken rod, his jacob's ladder, dropped 909 01:21:32.560 --> 01:21:38.199 from God body. Song is not drink. Song is not meat, 910 01:21:38.640 --> 01:21:44.319 nor strong thick shoes for naked feet. Soul who sings 911 01:21:44.359 --> 01:21:47.800 by unseen hands is fed with honeyed milk and warm 912 01:21:47.960 --> 01:21:52.319 white bread. His ways and pastures green are lead, and 913 01:21:52.479 --> 01:21:58.000 perfumed oil illumes his head. His cup with wine is surfeited, 914 01:21:58.479 --> 01:22:02.359 and when the last lone is read, he sings among 915 01:22:02.479 --> 01:22:07.319 the lipless dead with singing stars to crown his head body, 916 01:22:07.920 --> 01:22:11.119 but will song by a wooden box the length of 917 01:22:11.199 --> 01:22:14.479 me from tow to crown, to keep me safe from 918 01:22:14.560 --> 01:22:20.239 carrion flocks when singing's done and lyre laid down. End 919 01:22:20.239 --> 01:22:30.640 of section sixty six, Section sixty seven of Color by 920 01:22:30.720 --> 01:22:35.000 Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 921 01:22:35.840 --> 01:22:43.600 Read by Mike Overbee, Midland, Washington, Veria. Seven, in memory 922 01:22:43.760 --> 01:22:48.640 of Colonel Charles Young. Along the shore, the tall thin 923 01:22:48.800 --> 01:22:54.399 grass that fringes that dark river, while sinuously soft feet pass, 924 01:22:55.000 --> 01:23:00.520 begins to bleed and quiver. The great dark voice breaks 925 01:23:00.560 --> 01:23:04.880 with a sob across the womb of night. Above your grave, 926 01:23:05.119 --> 01:23:09.279 the tom tom's throb, and the hills are weird with light. 927 01:23:10.399 --> 01:23:13.680 The great dark heart is like a well drained bitter 928 01:23:14.000 --> 01:23:17.960 by the sky, and all the honeyed lies they tell 929 01:23:18.319 --> 01:23:23.359 come there to thirst and die. No lie is strong 930 01:23:23.439 --> 01:23:27.000 enough to kill the roots that work below. From your 931 01:23:27.119 --> 01:23:32.039 rich dust, and slaughtered will a tree with tongues will grow. 932 01:23:33.279 --> 01:23:43.039 End of section sixty seven, Section sixty eight of color 933 01:23:43.640 --> 01:23:48.119 by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox according is in the public domain. 934 01:23:49.199 --> 01:23:57.239 Read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, Veria. Eight. To my friends, 935 01:23:58.479 --> 01:24:03.319 you feeble few that me somewhat more than all I am. Base, 936 01:24:03.600 --> 01:24:08.399 clay and spittle join'd to shape an aimless whim substantial 937 01:24:09.039 --> 01:24:14.479 coin'd amiss one idle hour. This heart, though poor, O 938 01:24:14.760 --> 01:24:18.079 golden host I count upon the ends of one bare 939 01:24:18.159 --> 01:24:23.239 hand with fingers still to spare, is rich enough for 940 01:24:23.359 --> 01:24:28.560 this to harbor there in opulence its frugal need of friends. 941 01:24:29.880 --> 01:24:33.880 Let neither lose his faith, lest by such loss each 942 01:24:34.039 --> 01:24:39.239 find insufferable his daily cross. And be not less immovable 943 01:24:39.319 --> 01:24:43.640 to me, not less lovely, all and stanch than my 944 01:24:43.760 --> 01:24:48.760 heart is. In brief, these fine heroics. Come to this, 945 01:24:49.039 --> 01:24:53.560 my friends. If you are true I needs must be 946 01:24:55.239 --> 01:25:05.239 end of section sixty eight, Section sixty nine of Color 947 01:25:05.880 --> 01:25:10.720

by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 948 01:25:11.760 --> 01:25:21.119 Read by Mike Overby Midland Washington, Varia. Nine. Gods, I 949 01:25:21.359 --> 01:25:25.239 fast and pray and go to church and put my 950 01:25:25.399 --> 01:25:30.000 penny in. But God's not fooled by such slight tricks, 951 01:25:30.399 --> 01:25:34.680 and I'm not saved from sin. I cannot hide from 952 01:25:34.840 --> 01:25:39.119 him the gods that revel in my heart, nor can 953 01:25:39.159 --> 01:25:42.600 I find an easy word to tell them to depart. 954 01:25:43.920 --> 01:25:48.279 God's alabaster turrets gleam too high for me to win 955 01:25:49.279 --> 01:25:53.039 unless he turns his face and lets me bring my 956 01:25:53.199 --> 01:26:03.880 own gods in end of section sixty nine, Section seventy 957 01:26:04.159 --> 01:26:08.920 of Color by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in 958 01:26:08.960 --> 01:26:15.720 the public domain, read by Mike Overby Midland Washington, Veria. 959 01:26:16.119 --> 01:26:23.399 Ten to John Keats's poet at springtime for Carl van Vechten. 960 01:26:24.560 --> 01:26:27.880 I cannot hold my peace, John Keats. There never was 961 01:26:27.880 --> 01:26:31.239 a spring like this. It is an echo that repeats 962 01:26:31.359 --> 01:26:35.000 my last year's song and next year's bliss. I know, 963 01:26:35.359 --> 01:26:38.000 in spite of all men say of beauty, you have 964 01:26:38.039 --> 01:26:41.760 felt her most yea, even in your grave, her way 965 01:26:41.840 --> 01:26:47.520 is laid poor, troubled lyric ghost. Spring never was so 966 01:26:47.680 --> 01:26:50.760 fair and dear as beauty makes her seen this year. 967 01:26:52.159 --> 01:26:55.039 I cannot hold my piece, John Keats. I am as 968 01:26:55.039 --> 01:26:58.039 helpless in the toil of spring as any lamb that 969 01:26:58.159 --> 01:27:02.239 bleats to feel the solid earth recoiled beneath his puny legs. 970 01:27:03.000 --> 01:27:06.279 Spring beats her tocsin, call to those who love her, 971 01:27:06.600 --> 01:27:10.960 and lo the dogwood petals cover her breast with drifts 972 01:27:11.000 --> 01:27:14.720 of snow, and sleek white gulls fly screaming to her, 973 01:27:15.039 --> 01:27:18.199 and hover about her shoulders and kiss her cheek, while 974 01:27:18.239 --> 01:27:21.960 white and purple lilacs muster a strength that bears them 975 01:27:22.000 --> 01:27:25.119 to a cluster of color and odor. For her sake, 976 01:27:25.359 --> 01:27:29.960 all things that slept are now awake, And you and 977 01:27:30.079 --> 01:27:34.199 I shall we lie still, John Keats, while beauty summons us, 978 01:27:35.000 --> 01:27:37.960 somehow I feel your sensitive will is pulsing up some 979 01:27:38.159 --> 01:27:41.520 tremulous sap road of a maple tree, whose leaves grow 980 01:27:41.640 --> 01:27:45.640 music as they grow, Since your wild voice is in them, 981 01:27:45.960 --> 01:27:49.600 a harp that grieves for life, that opens death's dark door. 982 01:27:50.760 --> 01:27:54.520 Though dust, your fingers still can push the vision splendid 983 01:27:54.800 --> 01:27:58.319 to a berth, though now they work as grass in 984 01:27:58.399 --> 01:28:01.479 the hush of the night, on the broad sweet page 985 01:28:01.600 --> 01:28:06.359 of the earth. John Keats is dead, they say, But 986 01:28:06.479 --> 01:28:10.159 I who hear your full insistent cry in bud and blossom, 987 01:28:10.520 --> 01:28:15.640 leaf and tree know John Keats still writes poetry. And 988 01:28:15.760 --> 01:28:19.159 while my head is earthward bowed to read new life 989 01:28:19.239 --> 01:28:23.199 sprung from your shroud. Folks seeing me must think it 990 01:28:23.279 --> 01:28:27.640 strange that merely spring should so derange my mind. They 991 01:28:27.680 --> 01:28:33.399 do not know that you, John Keats, keep revel with me. Two. 992 01:28:33.760 --> 01:28:43.800 End of section seventy Section seventy one of Color by 993 01:28:43.840 --> 01:28:47.840 Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 994 01:28:48.600 --> 01:28:56.640 Read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, Varia eleven ongoing for 995 01:28:56.800 --> 01:29:01.479 Willard Johnson. A grave all too weak a thing to 996 01:29:01.560 --> 01:29:05.520 hold my fancy long. I'll bear a blossom with the spring, 997 01:29:05.960 --> 01:29:09.319 or be a blackbird's song. I think that I shall 998 01:29:09.359 --> 01:29:13.960 feed with these melt into earth like snow, be food 999 01:29:14.079 --> 01:29:19.079 for hungry growing trees, or help the lilies blow. And 1000 01:29:19.159 --> 01:29:23.039 if my love should lonely walk quite of my nearness fain, 1001 01:29:23.800 --> 01:29:26.880 I may come back to her and talk in liquid 1002 01:29:26.920 --> 01:29:37.920 words of rain. End of section seventy one, Section seventy 1003 01:29:37.960 --> 01:29:44.039 two of Color by Countey Cullen. This LibriVox recording is 1004 01:29:44.039 --> 01:29:49.960 in the public domain. Read by Mike Overbye, Midland, Washington, 1005 01:29:51.119 --> 01:29:58.319 Varia twelve. Harsh world that lashest me for Walter White, 1006 01:29:59.119 --> 01:30:03.439 harsh whirl that lashest me each day. Dub me not 1007 01:30:03.640 --> 01:30:06.960 cowardly because I seem to find no sudden way to 1008 01:30:07.159 --> 01:30:12.399 throttle you or clip your claws. No force compels me 1009 01:30:12.600 --> 01:30:17.039 to the wound whereof my body bears the scar. Although 1010 01:30:17.079 --> 01:30:20.399 my feet are on the ground, doubt not, my eyes 1011 01:30:20.680 --> 01:30:26.760 are on a star. You cannot keep me captive. World entrammeled, chained, 1012 01:30:27.199 --> 01:30:33.079 spit on, and spurned, more free than all your flags unfurled. 1013 01:30:33.560 --> 01:30:37.880 I give my body to be burned. I mount my 1014 01:30:38.079 --> 01:30:42.159 cross because I will I drink the hemlock which you 1015 01:30:42.319 --> 01:30:46.800 give for wine, which you withhold. And still because I 1016 01:30:46.880 --> 01:30:51.960 will not die. I live. I live because an ember 1017 01:30:52.039 --> 01:30:56.000 in me smolders to regain its fire. Because what is 1018 01:30:56.279 --> 01:31:00.479 and what has been not yet have conquered my desire. 1019 01:31:01.600 --> 01:31:05.760 I live to prove the groping clod is surely more 1020 01:31:05.960 --> 01:31:09.600 than simple dust. I live to see the breath of 1021 01:31:09.720 --> 01:31:15.279 God beatify the carnal crust. But when I will, world, 1022 01:31:15.880 --> 01:31:20.479 I can go. Though triple bronze should wall me round, 1023 01:31:21.079 --> 01:31:25.760 slip past your guard, as swift as snow, translated without 1024 01:31:25.880 --> 01:31:31.119 pain or sound. Within myself is launched the key to 1025 01:31:31.199 --> 01:31:34.960 that vast room of couches laid for those too proud 1026 01:31:35.039 --> 01:31:41.960 to live and see their dreams of light eclipsed in shade. 1027 01:31:42.239 --> 01:31:52.079 End of section seventy two, Section seventy three of Color 1028 01:31:52.640 --> 01:31:57.079 by Counte Cullen. This LibriVox according is in the public domain. 1029 01:31:58.079 --> 01:32:08.520 Read by Mike Over, Midland, Washington, Veria. Thirteen requiescum I 1030 01:32:08.560 --> 01:32:12.720 am for sleeping and forgetting all that has gone before. 1031 01:32:13.840 --> 01:32:18.159 I am for lying still and letting who will beat 1032 01:32:18.560 --> 01:32:23.039 at my door? I would my life's cold sun were 1033 01:32:23.119 --> 01:32:28.960 setting to rise for me no more. End of section 1034 01:32:29.119 --> 01:32:34.520 seventy three, end of Color by Counte Cullen