Autumn Begins In Martins Ferry, Ohio - A poem by James Wright

James Wright - Autumn Begins In Martins Ferry, Ohio

In the Shreve High football stadium,
I think of Polacks nursing long beers in Tiltonsville,
And gray faces of Negroes in the blast furnace at Benwood,
And the ruptured night watchman of Wheeling Steel,
Dreaming of heroes.

All the proud fathers are ashamed to go home.
Their women cluck like starved pullets,
Dying for love.

Therefore,
Their sons grow suicidally beautiful
At the beginning of October,
And gallop terribly against each other's bodies.

Added: on October 21st, 2005 at 10:45 AM | Viewed: 4007 times | Comments (4)

Autumn Begins In Martins Ferry, Ohio - Comments and Information
Poet: James Wright Poem: Autumn Begins In Martins Ferry, Ohio Volume: The Branch Will Not Break Comment 4 of 4, added on November 2nd, 2006 at 7:38 PM. I read it as a high schooler when on a field trip to the Smithsonian. At that time, it was a highlighted quote in the history museum, my fave place. The imagery is unforgettable. It was brought to my mind today after standing on the sidelines of a boys soccer game, watching the "beautiful bodies clashing" but not quite so suicidally! ;-) great site - so thankful for this! carol Carol from United States Comment 3 of 4, added on May 30th, 2006 at 11:53 AM. This poem is one of my all time favorites. The way that Wright describes this town is right on. It is a place that lives and dies through football. His ability to describe this place through one sport he doesn't even name completely is amazing! Angel Comment 2 of 4, added on October 21st, 2005 at 10:45 AM. The terrible clashing of bodies is what those in autumn dream of. Of being something--not yet ruptured or paled. Something more than a poker of pullets. richard Richard from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Autumn Begins In Martins Ferry, Ohio, has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by James Wright with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Autumn Begins In Martins Ferry, Ohio Volume: The Branch Will Not Break Last read: 2008-09-04 08:37:50 Viewed 4007 times. Added on October 21st, 2005 at 10:45 AM.

Wright Info
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