56: Moby-Dick, 1851, by Herman Melville (1819–1891)
I read this book in study hall—
That’s right—in high school (took a while).
I couldn’t understand it all—
And not a lot there made me smile.
I’d read it as a comic book*—
The pictures really helped a lot!
The movie** had a certain “look,”
And soon enough, well, I was caught.
I’ve read that book—again, again—
And every time it seems so … new.
I see the humor—mourn the men—
Perhaps again I’ll read it through?
I’ve seen the grave where Melville lies***—
I’ve seen the farm**** where Melville wrote
The book—I’ve seen Nantucket’s skies.
I’ve sailed the Pequod (fatal
boat) …
Well, in my mind I have done
so.
I’ve read his other books—yes, all.
But still remains so much to know
About that book—and Ahab’s fall.
*Classics Illustrated, 1942
**Moby-Dick, 1956, directed
by John Huston, starring Gregory Peck as Capt. Ahab
*** Woodlawn Cemetery; the Bronx, NY
**** Arrowhead, his farm in Pittsfield, Mass., now a museum
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