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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON AN UNSOCIABLE FAMILY, by ELIZABETH HANDS Poet's Biography
First Line: O what a strange parcel of creatures are we
Last Line: For to please ourselves, truly, is more than we can.
Alternate Author Name(s): Daphne
Subject(s): Family Life; Indifference; Relatives
First Line: O what a strange parcel of creatures are we
Last Line: For to please ourselves, truly, is more than we can.
Alternate Author Name(s): Daphne
Subject(s): Family Life; Indifference; Relatives
O WHAT a strange parcel of creatures are we,
Scarce ever to quarrel, or even agree;
We all are alone, though at home altogether,
Except to the fire constrained by the weather;
Then one says, ''Tis cold', which we all of us know,
And with unanimity answer, ''Tis so':
With shrugs and with shivers all look at the fire,
And shuffle ourselves and our chairs a bit nigher;
Then quickly, preceded by silence profound,
A yawn epidemical catches around:
Like social companions we never fall out,
Nor ever care what one another's about;
To comfort each other is never our plan,
For to please ourselves, truly, is more than we can.
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