Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE NEW COMMITTEES by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS

First Line: TEN NEW COMMITTEES, VIGOROUS AND FINE
Last Line: FUN GOT EXHAUSTED, AND THERE WAS -- NONE.
Subject(s): BUREAUCRACY;

Ten new committees, vigorous and fine;
One was too ambitious, and then there were nine.

Nine new committees, zealous and elate;
One got offended, and then there were eight.

Eight new committees, laboring for heaven;
One got to shirking, and then there were seven.

Seven new committees, "putting in best licks";
One found it tedious, and then there were six.

Six new committees, looking all alive;
One went to sleep, and then there were five.

Five new committees, keeping up their score;
One became "too busy," and then there were four.

Four new committees, bright as bright could be;
One became careless, and then there were three.

Three new committees, hunting things to do;
One thought it couldn't, and then there were two.

Two new committees, proud of good things done;
One grew "so tired," and then there was one.

One new committee, holding on for fun;
Fun got exhausted, and there was -- none.



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