Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, QUEER, by ELSIE BENTLEY MALIN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

QUEER, by                    
First Line: I love a poem with a swing
Last Line: To welcome home . . . The queer old thing.
Subject(s): Old Age


I love a poem with a swing
But modern poets say, "Queer thing!"
And all because I want to fit
The meter when it doesn't hit.
I think I always have been queer,
For Mother often said, "My dear,
Why with old people will you stay
When you can have a chance to play
With other children? Seems to me
You're queer as any child could be."
I did not answer. Could not tell
Just why I loved old folks so well,
Or why I often spent the day
With old Aunt Polly down the way.

I loved her quaint old-fashioned style,
Her kindly way, her lovely smile,
And hours I spent with her, I'm sure,
Gave many lessons, wise and pure,
And so, Aunt Polly fills for me
A page of life's dear memory.

My friends have smiled my whole life through
At queer things I would say and do,
And in this fast and modern age
Think strange that I don't turn the page.
Why should I care how much they smile?
If in the glorious afterwhile
The gate of heaven will widely swing
To welcome home . . . the queer old thing.





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