Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CONCERT, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Poet's Biography First Line: It was held in god's great temple Last Line: Which was such a grand success. Subject(s): Nature | ||||||||
I It was held in God's great temple On a happy summer's day. There was quite a host to hear it -- Old and youthful, grave and gray. Mister Robin was conductor, With an oak-twig in his hand Held in readiness to signal For the music of his band. And the band was all attention, All alert was every one. Robin bowed and gave the signal And the concert had begun. Master Locust had his 'cello, And the cricket played a fife; While the bee held up a tuba, Blowing it for dearest life. Then a club of fine musicians -- Very famous -- called "The Breeze" -- Charmed the hearts of all their hearers With some wondrous symphonies. II And the "Tree Tops" bowed and nodded Their approval in great haste, For the symphonies were suited To their strictly classic taste. All the playing was delightful, both in point of time and tone; And no instrument was louder Than the Wood-Bird's xylophone. There were vocalists in plenty, All the noted ones were there; E'en the River came to join them, Gladly furnishing its share. Why the tumult was stupendous And was like to shake the place When a Blue-Bird warbled treble To the water's rolling bass. Mrs. Katy-Did was present, For her alto so well known; Also Mr. Bull-Frog, famous For his mellow baritone. III And the tenor of the concert Was none other than our friend G. Rass Hopper -- why his encores Seemed to me, they'd never end. When the solos all were finished And the orchestra was done, Then they had the grand finale, Which was joined by every one. Locust, Bull-Frog, Cricket, Blue-Bird, Katy-Did and Bumble Bee, Blending all in Nature's chorus In delightful harmony. And the audiences who heard it, All are willing to confess That they never heard a concert Which was such a grand success. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INTERRUPTED MEDITATION by ROBERT HASS TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS THE FATALIST: HOME by LYN HEJINIAN WRITING IS AN AID TO MEMORY: 17 by LYN HEJINIAN LET US GATHER IN A FLOURISHING WAY by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA IN MICHAEL ROBINS?ÇÖS CLASS MINUS ONE by HICOK. BOB BREADTH. CIRCLE. DESERT. MONARCH. MONTH. WISDOM by JOHN HOLLANDER VARIATIONS: 16 by CONRAD AIKEN UNHOLY SONNET 13 by MARK JARMAN A BANJO SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |
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