American Poem #1

 This is perhaps my favorite poem. Read literally, it is rather depressing. Maybe it's not meant to be read literally. That has more to do with the reader than the poet.

Gubbinal

by Wallace Stevens

That strange flower, the sun,

Is just what you say.

Have it your way.

The world is ugly,

And the people are sad.

That tuft of jungle feathers,

That animal eye,

Is just what you say.

That savage of fire,

That seed,

Have it your way.

The world is ugly,

And the people are sad.

Other Poems by Wallace Stevens: "The Emperor of Ice Cream," "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," and "The Reader."