Corpse by David Park Barnitz (1978)
The poem presents a stark and haunting image of a decayed corpse adorned with regal symbols, juxtaposing the grandeur of its appearance with the grim reality of death. The corpse, crowned and clothed in gold and purple, sits beneath a vast sky, embodying a once-mighty figure now reduced to decay. A procession passes by, oblivious to the true nature of what they honor, offering tributes to a lifeless body that holds a golden scepter, symbolizing lost power and authority. The imagery emphasizes the contrast between the external opulence and the internal rot, with worms symbolizing the inevitable decay that accompanies death. The poem suggests a deeper commentary on the nature of perception and the denial of mortality, as those who pass by fail to recognize the truth of the corpse's condition. The act of seeing the corpse is portrayed as a curse, indicating that awareness of death brings a heavy burden. The funeral dirges toll not just for the dead but also for those who are aware of the decay, highlighting the existential dread that accompanies the recognition of mortality. Overall, the work explores themes of death, the illusion of grandeur, and the human tendency to overlook the inevitable decay that lies beneath the surface of life. It serves as a meditation on the relationship between life and death, urging readers to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie hidden beneath the facade of beauty and power.
By David Park Barnitz · First published 1978 · Genre: Poetry, Dark Fantasy, Gothic · 131 words
First lines
A dead corpse crowned with a crown of gold Sits thron'd beneath the sky's gigantic pall;
Gold garments from its rotted shoulders fall, And regal purple robes funereal.
Before its face a vast processional Goes by with offerings for its great knees cold;
Its soft hand doth a golden sceptre hold;
What this Textopian page supports
Corpse is listed on Textopian as a poem by David Park Barnitz, dated 1978 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: David Park Barnitz
- Date: 1978 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Dark Fantasy, Gothic, Symbolism, Philosophical
- Length: 131 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Corpse by David Park Barnitz
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Corpse?
- How does this poem by David Park Barnitz fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Mummy by David Park Barnitz
- At The Sign Of The Skull by Madison Cawein
- Old Ghosts by Madison Cawein
- The Shadow by Madison Cawein
- The Doom Of The Mischief Maker by James Baldwin
- The Gallows by Edward Thomas
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem, utilizing meter and rhyme to convey its themes.
- Dark Fantasy — The imagery of a corpse adorned with regal symbols suggests elements of fantasy intertwined with macabre themes.
- Gothic — The themes of death, decay, and the supernatural align with Gothic literature's focus on the eerie and the grotesque.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic imagery, such as the corpse and the crown, reflects deeper meanings about mortality and perception.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Crime · Detective · Police Procedural · Psychological Thriller · Dark · Ominous · Atmospheric · Tense