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Elizabeth Bishop

Though she would publish only 101 poems in her lifetime, Elizabeth Bishop would become one of the most beloved of American poets. She was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 8th, 1911, to

“It Is Marvellous . . ”

by Elizabeth Bishop (1911–79)

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16

It is marvellous to wake up together

At the same minute; marvellous to hear

The rain begin suddenly all over the roof,

To feel the air clear

As if electricity had passed through it

From a black mesh of wires in the sky.

All over the roof the rain hisses,

And below, the light falling of kisses.

An electrical storm is coming or moving away;

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