Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 3. TEESTAY, by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 3. TEESTAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Of tropic sensations, the worst
Last Line: Teestay, teestay.
Subject(s): Caribbean Sea; Drinks & Drinking; Pleasure; Wine


Of tropic sensations, the worst
Is, sin duda, the tropical thirst.

When it starts in your throat and constantly grows,
Till you feel that it reaches down to your toes,
When your mouth tastes like fur
And your tongue turns to dust,
There's but one thing to do,
And do it you must,
Drink teestay.

Teestay, a drink with a history,
A delicious, delectable mystery,
"Cinco centavos el vaso, señor,"
If you take one, you will surely want more.

Teestay, teestay,
The national drink on a feast day;
How it coolingly tickles,
As downward it trickles,
Teestay, teestay.

And you wish, as you take it down at a quaff,
That your neck was constructed à la giraffe.
Teestay, teestay.





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