Explore "Observe how Miyanoshita Cracked" by Edna St. Vincent Millay on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Observe how Miyanoshita cracked in two
And slid into the valley; he that stood
Grinning with terror in the bamboo wood
Saw the earth heave and thrust its bowels through
The hill, and his own kitchen slide from view, / Spilling the warm bowl of his humble food
Into the lap of horror; mark how lewd
This cluttered gulf,-'twas here his paddy grew.
Dread and dismay have not encompassed him;
The calm sun sets; unhurried and aloof
Into the riven village falls the rain; Days pass; the ashes cool; he builds again
His paper house upon oblivion's brim, / And plants the purple iris in its roof .