Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PLAINT OF THE CAMEL, by CHARLES EDWARD CARRYL



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PLAINT OF THE CAMEL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Canary-birds feed on sugar and seed
Last Line: Any shape does for me.
Variant Title(s): The Camel's Complaint
Subject(s): Camels


Canary-birds feed on sugar and seed,
Parrots have crackers to crunch;
And as for the poodles, they tell me the noodles
Have chicken and cream for their lunch.
But there's never a question
About my digestion --
Anything does for me.

Cats, you are aware, can repose in a chair,
Chickens can roost upon rails;
Puppies are able to sleep in a stable,
And oysters can slumber in pails.
But no one supposes
A poor camel dozes --
Any place does for me.

Lambs are enclosed where it's never exposed,
Coops are constructed for hens;
Kittens are treated to houses well heated,
And pigs are protected by pens.
But a camel comes handy
Wherever it's sandy --
Anywhere does for me.

People would laugh is you rode a giraffe,
Or mounted the back of an ox;
It's nobody's habit to ride on a rabbit,
Or try to bestraddle a fox.
But as for a camel, he's
Ridden by families --
Any load does for me.

A snake is as round as a hole in the ground,
And weasels are wavy and sleek;
And no alligator could ever be straighter
Than lizards that live in a creek.
But a camel's all lumpy
And bumpy and humpy --
Any shape does for me.






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