Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WHY TOMAS CAM WAS GRUMPY, by JAMES STEPHENS Poet's Biography First Line: If I were rich what would I do? Last Line: ...Where's my spade! I've work to do! Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Wealth; Wisdom; Work; Workers; Riches; Fortunes | ||||||||
If I were rich what would I do? I'd leave the horse just ready to shoe; I'd leave the pail beside the cow; I'd leave the furrow beneath the plough; I'd leave the ducks, tho' they should quack, "Our eggs will be stolen before you're back"; I'd buy a diamond brooch, a ring, A chain of gold that I would fling Around her neck.... Ah, what an itch, If I were rich! What would I do if I were wise? I would not debate about the skies; Nor would I try a book to write; Or find the wrong in the tangled right; I would not debate with learned men Of how, and what, and why, and when; -- I'd train my tongue to a linnet's song, I'd learn the words that couldn't go wrong -- And then I'd say ... And win the prize, If I were wise! But I'm not that nor t'other, I bow My back to the work that's waiting now: I'll shoe the horse that's standing ready; I'll milk the cow if she'll be steady; I'll follow the plough that turns the loam; I'll watch the ducks don't lay from home: -- And I'll curse, and curse, and curse again Till the devil joins in with his big amen; And none but he and I will wot When the heart within me starts to rot; To fester and churn its ugly brew ...Where's my spade! I've work to do! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALL LIFE IN A LIFE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS FOUR POEMS ABOUT JAMAICA: 3. A HAIRPIN TURN ABOVE READING, JAMAICA by WILLIAM MATTHEWS IMAGINE YOURSELF by EVE MERRIAM THE PROPHET by LUCILLE CLIFTON I AM FIFTY-TWO YEARS OLD' by KENNETH REXROTH LAST VISIT TO THE SWIMMING POOL SOVIETS by KENNETH REXROTH PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR AS A YOUNG ANARCHIST by KENNETH REXROTH |
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