poem index

occasions
themes
forms
schools & movements

sign up to receive a new poem-a-day in your inbox

related poems

occasions

LGBTQ Pride Month
poem
About this Poem 

“In Particular” was published in The Book of Repulsive Women (Guido Bruno, 1915). 

more
fullscreen

In Particular

What loin-cloth, what rag of wrong
Unpriced?
What turn of body, what of lust
Undiced?
So we’ve worshipped you a little
More than Christ.

This poem is in the public domain. 

This poem is in the public domain. 

Djuna Barnes

Djuna Barnes

Djuna Barnes was born in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York on June 12, 1892. She was an American novelist, poet, playwright, journalist, and visual artist, as well as an important figure in the Modernist movement. Her works include The Book of Repulsive Women (1915), Ladies Almanack (1928), and Nightwood (1937). Barnes died in New York City on June 18, 1982.

read more

by this poet

poem
First Communion
Djuna Barnes
1923
The mortal fruit upon the bough
Hands above the nuptial bed.
The cat-bird in the tree returns
The forfeit of his mutual vow.

The hard, untimely apple of
The branch that feeds on watered rain,
Takes the place upon her lips
Of her late lamented love.

Many hands together press,
Shaped within a static prayer
Recall
poem
From Third Avenue On
Djuna Barnes
2016

And now she walks on out turned feet
Beside the litter in the street
Or rolls beneath a dirty sheet
       Within the town.
She does not stir to doff her dress,
She does not kneel low to confess,
A little conscience, no distress
       And settles down.

Ah God! she settles

poem
Serenade
Djuna Barnes
2017

Three paces down the shore, low sounds the lute,
The better that my longing you may know;
I’m not asking you to come,
But—can’t you go?

Three words, “I love you,” and the whole is said—
The greatness of it throbs from sun to sun;
I’m not asking you to walk,
But—can’t you run?

browse all 7 poems