We rode a tram, in London -- She had lost her purse, her fare; I had hoped for chance -- to "break the ice" And "chances" are so rare! Well -- I apologized -- and, paid it; And won, on that small dare. A conversation then ensued Until the end of run: @3She was born in Pumpkin Center -- I, her Neighbor Brown's own son!@1 I spend some time in Gotham; Find it easy to entice The women to the Cuckoo's Nest -- And places -- quite un-nice. One new acquaintance I have made -- (I must this in note-book enter.) She's a line-bred Gothamite today -- @3Just out of -- Pumpkin Center!@1 It helped things not a bit, I'll say -- When I mentioned that old town; I made it worse by adding this -- @3"I'm the son of Old John Brown!"@1 The air was cold in the vestibule; It was snowing hard outside. He acted like he'd like to talk While waiting for a ride. "Is it cold enough for you?" he asked As I stamped snow from my feet: "Down where I live, this time of year The weather can't be beat!" "Just where is that?" I sez, sezzi, As the vestibule I enter; "Well -- you will laugh," he sez, sezze, @3"But my home's in Pumpkin Center!"@1 "Well ain't that strange," I sez, sezzi, (But here he had to run -- ) @3"While you're from Pumpkin Center I'm your Neighbor Brown's -- own son!"@1 Three thousand miles away from home -- This last chance-meet occurred: @3"We're all from Pumpkin Center As you've of course -- inferred!@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER THE PAPAGO by JAMES GALVIN UNDER A PATCHED SAIL by MARIANNE MOORE THE GRASSHOPPER; TO MY NOBLE FRIEND MR. CHARLES COTTON by RICHARD LOVELACE THE GIRL OF ALL PERIODS; AN IDYLL by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE WASHINGTON MONUMENT BY NIGHT by CARL SANDBURG THE BEACHCOMBER by MILDRED DOSCH BANTA THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 42. FAREWELL TO JULIET (4) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |