'Twas in the pioneer days of old, An elf child was born of a seashell, 'tis told, Close where mermaids and water sprites did abound On the wide, sandy beach of Provincetown. She was adopted by the captain of a herring fleet Who thereafter much success did meet Until he sailed for Death's uncharted sea. She, the Belle of Provincetown, was his sole legatee. She had one likeable beau everybody seemed to know; On her his good name soon he would bestow. But, intoxicated, he fell in his bathtub and drowned, And was mourned by the Belle of Provincetown. She lamented his untimely end, would not be comforted By promises from admirers to the altar to be led. She sought to leave the world by an acqueous route And sprang from a surf rock, but for help did shout. Her call was answered by a monstrous Tom Cod, Prime minister of Neptune, the sea god. He parted the rolling combers rushing to her aid; Of his piscary form asked her not to be afraid. Quoth he, "Happy greeting, O Belle of Provincetown. I am my plain self; I've no egotist's horn to sound. I ask only your friendship; do not despise My uncouth form, cold, unwinking fishy eyes. "As you perceive I have no feet or hands To drive an automobile over the shelly sands, But strong fins, a broad, capable tail -- With their aid I sport when strong blows the gale." She mounted Tom Cod's ample back; On the breakers he made a successful attack. The seaside visitors cheered the Belle of Provincetown -- A slave, a man servant, a mate she had found. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHAMBER MUSIC: 8 by JAMES JOYCE SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: IMANUEL EHRENHARDT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS CAVALIER TUNES: GIVE A ROUSE THEN FOR THE CLINIC by ROBERT BROWNING ENGLAND'S DEAD by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS SONNET ON FAME (2) by JOHN KEATS TO HESTER [SAVORY] by CHARLES LAMB SONNET: 10. TO THE LADY MARGARET LEY by JOHN MILTON THE MERRY SUMMER MONTHS by WILLIAM MOTHERWELL ODE TO MASTER ANTHONY STAFFORD [TO HASTEN HIM INTO COUNTRY] by THOMAS RANDOLPH |