Continuing with the Roethke outtakes. Here is a version of Long Live the Weeds with the lines he ultimately changed, cut. The final version comes after.
Long Live the Weeds - Early Version
Long live the weeds that overwhelm
My narrow vegetable realm,
The bitter rock, the barren soil
That force the son of man to toil,
(All things unholy or perverse,)
All things unholy, marred by curse
The ugly of the universe.
(These do I cherish, that provide
A burden for the back of pride,)
The rough, the wicked, and the wild
That keep the spirit undefiled.
With these I match my little wit,
And earn the right to stand or sit,
(Hope, love, create, or drink and die, --)
Hope, love, create, or drink and die:
These shape the creature that is I.
Long Live the Weeds - CP Version
Long live the weeds that overwhelm
My narrow vegetable realm!
The bitter rock, the barren soil
That force the son of man to toil,
All things unholy, marred by curse
The ugly of the universe.
The rough, the wicked, and the wild
That keep the spirit undefiled.
With these I match my little wit,
And earn the right to stand or sit,
Hope, love, create, or drink and die:
These shape the creature that is I.
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1 comment:
Although I think the poem is much stronger without the line containing "back," it's too bad he couldn't have found another way to include it since everyone who's gardened could identify with that phrase.
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