Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A LEAN LAMENT, by FERN M. HARLAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A LEAN LAMENT, by                    
First Line: I'm sorry that I waited such a long time to be born
Last Line: Will give me strength to last until my dinner.
Subject(s): Food & Eating; Poverty


I'm sorry that I waited such a long time to be born,
Then came when sylph-like figures took the whole world by the horn.
I envy those "away back when" who dared to dine and drink,
Who could lean back from a four-course lunch, and laugh and talk and think.
Perhaps philosophize, and eulogize, and dream.
Easy. Contented. Life deep-drenched in cream.

While now I must perforce be glad and happy when my food
Is bordered on the north by toast, sans butter -- not so good!
On the south, black coffee -- Bah! Just take the stuff away!
The east is flanked by spinach -- green and soggy with decay --
On the west a glass of milk -- thin and blue and pale --
For dessert, undressed leaf lettuce -- I consume it bale on bale!

I rush my twenty blocks to work and as through the crowd I swing,
I hear talk of diet, poundage, reducing -- same old thing!
Hard times. Economy. No money.
Hectic. Troubling. Life drained dry of honey.
I sway, and pray my toast and spinach inner
Will give me strength to last until my dinner.





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