Minn, the first of old men, Dawn upon his knee, Tells of his adventures With solemnity. Loitering as a toddler Where the lava flows, Dipped a little fat leg, Burned off all his toes. Bordering on seven -- Bow and arrow wise -- Drew upon a wildcat, Nearly lost his eyes. As a youth he dawdled Where the fishers dwell, Learned about the globules Hidden in a shell, Got himself an oyster, Pillaged for the pearl. From a skein of seaweed Rose a water-girl, Seized that lustrous globule, Glided from his side, Mocked him from a billow: "Wait another tide." Minn, the first of old men, Grieveth o'er the tricks Played by lava puddles, Claws the wildcat flicks, Warns against the mermaids -- Dawn upon his knee -- Talks about disaster With solemnity. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: COLUMBUS CHENEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS DESERT WIFE by NELLIE COOLEY ALDER ANIMALS, AND THEIR COUNTRIES by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD POEM BY A PERFECTLY FURIOUS ACADEMICIAN by CHARLES WILLIAM SHIRLEY BROOKS |