Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MAC DHOUL, by JAMES STEPHENS Poet's Biography First Line: I saw them all! Last Line: I'll sing the peeler and the goat in half a tick! | ||||||||
I saw them all! I could have laughed aloud To see them at their capers; That serious, solemn-footed, weighty crowd Of angels -- or, say, resurrected drapers! Each with a thin flame swinging round his head! With liting wings and eyes of holy dread! And curving ears strained for the great foot-fall! And not a thought of sin -- ! I don't know how I kept the laughter in. For I was there! Unknown, unguessed at! Snug In a rose tree's branchy spurt! With two week's whisker blackening lug to lug! With tattered breeks and only half a shirt! Swollen fit to burst with laughter at the sight Of those dull angels, drooping left and right Along the towering throne! Each in a scare To hear His foot advance, Huge from the cloud behind! All in a trance! And suddenly, As silent as a ghost, I jumped out from the bush! Went scooting through the glaring, nerveless host All petrified, all gaping in a hush! Came to the throne, and, nimble as a rat, Hopped up it, squatted close, and there I sat, Squirming with laughter till I had to cry, To see Him standing there, Frozen with all His angels in a stare! He raised His hand! His hand! 'Twas like a sky! Gripped me in half a finger, Flipped me round, and sent me spinning high Through screaming planets! Faith, I didn't linger To scratch myself ... And then adown I sped, Scraping old moons and twisting, heels and head, A chuckle in the void! Till ... here I stand As naked as a brick! I'll sing the Peeler and the Goat in half a tick! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CENTAURS by JAMES STEPHENS THE FIFTEEN ACRES by JAMES STEPHENS THE GOAT PATHS by JAMES STEPHENS |
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