|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
Dear native speakers
In this part of a poem by William Carlos Williams I read
"dog lime". I have no clue what it means and cannot find it by means of internet search. Could anyone know?
Thanks a lot.
"And no one knows
Whether we think good
Or evil.
Then again,
The old man who goes about
Gathering dog lime
Walks in the gutter
Without looking up
And his tread
Is more majestic than
That of the Episcopal minister
Approaching the pulpit
Of a Sunday.
These things
Astonish me beyond words."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,851 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,851 Likes: 2 |
I've never seen it before, but I would hazard a guess that it means that white residue left after a dog's feces has dried and bleached, and the lawn under it is a bit burned from chemical reactions (therefore "lime")...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
Thank you, could be. I'm no dog owner and never observed the finer details. Yes, could be.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
Today I received a different possible interpretation from the person who sent me the poem.
N.B.:
"About the "dog lime, at first I could find nothing either,
but by googling I got to a possible explanation:
Antics of a dog, who thinking to catch a quick yummy bite,
by accident bites a piece of lemon/lime lying (often molded) in the street somewhere.
In this poem: Someone who tries to find something to eat in the garbage. "
Last edited by BranShea; 04/14/16 09:47 AM.
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,809
Members9,187
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
385
guests, and
1
robot. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
|
|
