Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PERVERSITY, by WALT MASON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PERVERSITY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The doctor says that pies are harmful, I
Last Line: Takes a pride in scorning all sorts of danger signs.
Subject(s): Contrariness; Danger


THE doctor says that pies are harmful, I must eat them no more; and that is why

they seem so charmful I'd like to eat a score. Before me there are wholesome
vittles that I may safely try; I'll have of them no jots or tittles, my system
shrieks for pie. I didn't much enjoy my smoking until the doctor came, informing

me I'd soon be croaking unless I quit the same. Then fascinating and enchanting

seemed my old pipe of oak, and here I'm sitting, yearning, panting, for
something I can smoke. Last winter, when the boys were skating—a sport of
which I'm fond—I, too, began absquatulating along the village pond. The
boys all said I was a winner, for fluent legs are mine, until I saw, where ice
was thinner, a big square "Danger" sign. I skated up to see it closer—you
should have seen me sink! It took two blacksmiths and a grocer to drag me from
the drink. Who cares a kopeck for a warning? Man to his doom inclines because he

takes a pride in scorning all sorts of danger signs.





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