Barter
Barter
Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)
Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children's faces looking up,
Holding wonder like a cup.
Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like the curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit's still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.
Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.
Questions for Discussion
1. The main idea of the poem is to urge us
A) to be cautious in life
B) to avoid strife
C) to despise the ugly part of life
D) to enjoy life's treasures
E) not to become involved
2. The beauty of nature is indicated in line
A) 3
B) 6
C) 10
D) 12
E) 16
3. There is a simile (compasison) in line
A) 2
B) 4
C) 8
D) 10
E) 16
4. The poet includes the spiritual in life with the words
A) "climbing fire"
B) "children's faces"
C) "arms that hold"
D) "holy thoughts"
E) "year of strife"
5. The word barter means exhange by trade without money. In the poem the exchange is
A) personal commitment for life's beauty
B) a year of strife for ecstasy
C) spirit's delight for peace
D) children's faces for wonder
E) music for a curve of gold
1. D
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. A