Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BALLADE OF EGREGIOUSNESS, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I travelled now from coast to coast Last Line: "I never called a waiter ""george." Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A. Subject(s): Tourists; Travel; Journeys; Trips | ||||||||
I TRAVELLED now from coast to coast I came back only yesterday I've been from Banff to Painted Post From Harrisburgh to Monterey, From Cedarhurst to San José, From Santa Cruz to Valley Forge And yet, on all my witless way, I never called a waiter "George." I toured the country, same as most Who pilgrimage in quest of play. I paid two bits for buttered toast, And ninety cents for péche gelée. I was a hick, the same as they Who come from Huntington or Norge; But though I seemed replete with hay, I never called a waiter "George." I never was a bard to boast, I never was a lad to bray; But do I not deserve a "Pros't!", A cross, a wreath of laurel-spray, For that, in diner and café, At jitney meal, Lucullan org- Y, dinner, luncheon, déjeuner, I never called a waiter "George"? L'ENVOI Cast me, O Prince, in Hudson Bay, Shoot me across the Royal Gorge, But O remember, ere you slay, I never called a waiter "George." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RICHARD, WHAT'S THAT NOISE? by RICHARD HOWARD LOOKING FOR THE GULF MOTEL by RICHARD BLANCO RIVERS INTO SEAS by LYNDA HULL DESTINATIONS by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE ONE WHO WAS DIFFERENT by RANDALL JARRELL THE CONFESSION OF ST. JIM-RALPH by DENIS JOHNSON SESTINA: TRAVEL NOTES by WELDON KEES TO H. B. (WITH A BOOK OF VERSE) by MAURICE BARING LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |
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