Examination at the Womb-Door

Ted HughesTed Hughes

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Who owns those scrawny little feet?    Death.
Who owns this bristly scorched-looking face?    Death.
Who owns these still-working lungs?    Death.
Who owns this utility coat of muscles?    Death.
Who owns these unspeakable guts?    Death.
Who owns these questionable brains?    Death.
All this messy blood?    Death.
These minimum-efficiency eyes?    Death.
This wicked little tongue?    Death.
This occasional wakefulness?    Death.Given, stolen, or held pending trial?
Held.Who owns the whole rainy, stony earth?    Death.
Who owns all of space?    Death.Who is stronger than hope?    Death.
Who is stronger than the will?    Death.
Stronger than love?    Death.
Stronger than life?    Death.But who is stronger than Death?
                           Me, evidently.
Pass, Crow.
Ted Hughes
About the poet

Ted Hughes

British poet Ted Hughes with full name Edward James Hughes served as poet laureate from 1984 to 1998; people note his work for its symbolism, passion, and dark natural imagery. He, the brother of Gerald Hughes and husband of Sylvia Plath, fathered Frieda Hugh…

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