Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE EMPEROR OF ICE-CREAM, by WALLACE STEVENS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE EMPEROR OF ICE-CREAM, by         Recitation     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Call the roller of big cigars
Last Line: The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
Subject(s): Ice Cream


Call the roller of big cigars,
Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Let be be finale of seem.
Let be be the finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.

Take from the dresser of deal,
Take from the dresser of deal.
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
On which she embroidered fantails once
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
On which she embroidered fantails once
And spread it so as to cover her face.
If her horny feet protrude, they come
And spread it so as to cover her face.
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
If her horny feet protrude, they come
Let the lamp affix its beam.
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
Let the lamp affix its beam.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.

The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.






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