Sword Blades and Poppy Seed

Sword Blades and Poppy Seed, published in 1914 by Amy Lowell, is a collection of Imagist poetry that explores themes of love, art, nature, and the human experience. The poems reflect Lowell's artistic influences and her deep engagement with emotional and sensory landscapes. The opening poem introduces a disheartened poet who encounters an enigmatic old man, Ephraim Bard, who offers insights into creativity and the craft of poetry, likening words to weapons. This collection emphasizes the importance of technique and the artistic process, challenging the notion that poets are merely born, not made.