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" Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy’s Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota

Over my head, I see the bronze butterfly,
Asleep on the black trunk,
Blowing like a leaf in green shadow.
Down the ravine behind the empty house,
The cowbells follow one another
Into the distances of the afternoon.
To my right,
In a field of sunlight between two pines,
The droppings of last year’s horses
Blaze up into golden stones.
I lean back, as the evening darkens and comes on.
A chicken hawk floats over, looking for home.
I have wasted my life. "

James Wright , Above the River: The Complete Poems


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James Wright quote : <b>Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy’s Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota</b><br /><br />Over my head, I see the bronze butterfly, <br />Asleep on the black trunk, <br />Blowing like a leaf in green shadow. <br />Down the ravine behind the empty house, <br />The cowbells follow one another <br />Into the distances of the afternoon. <br />To my right, <br />In a field of sunlight between two pines, <br />The droppings of last year’s horses <br />Blaze up into golden stones. <br />I lean back, as the evening darkens and comes on. <br />A chicken hawk floats over, looking for home. <br />I have wasted my life.