Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO AN INSECT, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO AN INSECT, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I love to hear thine earnest voice
Last Line: Than many a kate has done.
Variant Title(s): Katydid
Subject(s): Insects; Katydids; Bugs


I LOVE to hear thine earnest voice,
Wherever thou art hid,
Thou testy little dogmatist,
Thou pretty Katydid!
Thou mindest me of gentlefolks, --
Old gentlefolks are they, --
Thou say'st an undisputed thing
In such a solemn way.
Thou art a female, Katydid!
I know it by the trill
That quivers through thy piercing notes,
So petulant and shrill.
I think there is a knot of you
Beneath the hollow tree, --
A knot of spinster Katydids, --
Do Katydids drink tea?
O, tell me where did Katy live,
And what did Katy do?
And was she very fair and young,
And yet so wicked too?
Did Katy love a naughty man,
Or kiss more cheeks than one?
I warrant Kitty did no more
Than many a Kate has done.




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