“Therefore with idle hands and head I sit In late December before the fire's daze Punished by crimes of which I would be quit.” HandsWould BeFireCrimeLateGuiltQuittingChristmasIdleDecemberDazeIdle Hands Book:Collected Poems, 1919-1976 Source: Collected Poems, 1919-1976
“Ah, Christ, I love you rings to the wild sky And I must think a little of the past: When I was ten I told a stinking lie That got a black boy whipped.” ThinkingLittlesPastLyingBlackChristBoysSkyLove YouTenGuiltRingsChristmasBlack Boy Book:Collected Poems, 1919-1976 Source: Collected Poems, 1919-1976
“The day's at end and there's nowhere to go, Draw to the fire, even this fire is dying; Get up and once again politely lying Invite the ladies toward the mistletoe.” EndsLyingFireDyingDrawsChristmasGet UpEveningInvitesNowhere To GoMistletoe Book:Poems, 1920-1945: A Selection Source: Poems, 1920-1945: A Selection
