Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CASE OF DOMINEERING JOHN ALEXIS UPHAM, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CASE OF DOMINEERING JOHN ALEXIS UPHAM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When john alexis upham was a little lad of / two
Last Line: She always did, she always does exactly as he orders.
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Character


WHEN John Alexis Upham was a little lad of two,
He made his nurse do everything he wanted her to do;
A domineering darling, and imperious little lad,
His parents thought him lordly, but the neighbours called him bad.

He ruled the other boys at school; in classroom and at play
Our John Alexis Upham always had to have his way.
At college (on the campus they discuss his manners still),
Nor student nor professor ever dared to cross his will.

As energetic business man he took a stubborn stand,
And not a clerk or merchant prince would counter his command.
Resistance to his orders never came from any one;
Did he say "Go and do it thus," why, thus 'twas always done.

But John Alexis fell in love—such incidents occur—
And everybody said, "Poor Nell! Alas, I pity her!"
A modest, unassuming maid, and so distinctly shy
That if you said a word to her she'd look at you and cry.

They married—John Alexis, who had always had his way—
And Nell, who never, never had a word to say;
And in their long connubial life—on thirty years it borders—
She always did, she always does exactly as he orders.





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