Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO A YOUNG MAN ON THE PLATFORM OF A SUBWAY EXPRESS, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A YOUNG MAN ON THE PLATFORM OF A SUBWAY EXPRESS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Blithe, whistling lad who yesterevening / stood
Last Line: ... It tickles.
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Pleasure


BLITHE, whistling lad who yesterevening stood
Behind me on the Broadway subway's platform,
Your disposition may be bad or good,
Your will to pleasure may take this or that form.
You whistled, I believe, "Poor Butterfly,"
(I've heard the tune, and once you seemed to strike it)
Pray be not angry when I say that I
Don't like it.

I do not mind your piping off the key—
I sometimes err myself in that direction—
But when you whistle right in back of me,
I claim the right to offer mild objection:
Whistle whate'er you will, sans let or check,
To those who nightly pay the Shontsian nickels,
But do it elsewhere, please, than down my neck.
... It tickles.





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