Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CITY SQUARE, by FAIRFAX DOWNEY First Line: I had a diploma Last Line: Since they don't like diplomas, not anywhere there. Subject(s): Cities; Education; Job Hunting; Universities & Colleges; Urban Life | ||||||||
I had a diploma, A brand new diploma, I took my diploma To the city square. I wanted a job there, A pretty fair job there, And I looked for a job there 'Most everywhere. For I went to a bank where they wanted a messenger. ("Ten bucks a week for a lively messenger.") "I can be a cashier and not a mere messenger." But they hadn't a job there, not anywhere there. I had a diploma, And an M.A. diploma, I took my diplomas To the city square. I did want a job there, And no baby's job there, And I looked for a job there 'Most everywhere. And I went down to Wall Street where they hire runner boys ("Sure, there's a chance for a trusty runner boy.") "Have you a partnership? I'm not a runner boy." But they hadn't a partnership, not anywhere there. I got a diploma, A Ph.D. one. I took it in my hand To the city square. I was after a job there (I did need a job there) And I looked for a job there 'Most everywhere. So I went to a place where they sold fine real estate. ("Commissions for a wide-awake salesman of real estate.") "Let me in the firm, I don't like selling real estate." But they hadn't got a job there, not anywhere there. I had nothing, It seemed I had nothing, So I didn't go down To the city square. But I went back to college, To teach at college, And there were diplomas 'Most everywhere. So I'm sorry for the wage slaves who sell fine real estate, I pity the frenzy of the stock exchange, I'm sad for the money-mad banking interests, Since they don't like diplomas, not anywhere there. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THINGS (FOR AN INDIAN) TO DO IN NEW YORK (CITY) by SHERMAN ALEXIE THE CITY REVISITED by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET TEN OXHERDING PICTURES: ENTERING THE CITY WITH BLISS-BESTOWING HANDS by LUCILLE CLIFTON THE CITY OF THE OLESHA FRUIT by NORMAN DUBIE DISCOVERING THE PHOTOGRAPH OF LLOYD, EARL, AND PRISCILLA by LYNN EMANUEL |
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