Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PLAINT OF THE CAMEL, by CHARLES EDWARD CARRYL 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DROMEDARY by HILAIRE BELLOC THE GOLDEN ODES OF PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA: IMR EL KAIS by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE GOLDEN ODES OF PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA: TARAFA by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT CAMEL'S HUMP by PERRIN BACHELLOR FISK THE LEGEND OF THE FIRST CAM-U-EL; AN ARABIAN APLOGUE by ARTHUR GUITERMAN ROBINSON CRUSOE ['S STORY, OR ISLAND] by CHARLES EDWARD CARRYL |
|