Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A LETTER ON THE USE OF MACHINE GUNS AT WEDDINGS, by KENNETH PATCHEN



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A LETTER ON THE USE OF MACHINE GUNS AT WEDDINGS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Like the soldier, like the sailor
Last Line: Who hasn't the guts to deal with sluts, guys like me and you.
Subject(s): Social Problems


Like the soldier, like the sailor, like the bib and tuck and bailer,
like the corner where we loiter, like the congressman and lawyer,
like the cop on the hill, like the lead in weary Will,
like the kittens in the water, like the names on Hearst's blotter.
like the guys and dames who laugh and chatter,
like the boys and girls who don't matter,
like the preacher and the Pope, like the punks who dish the dope,
like the hungry singing Home on the Range,
like Father Coughlin acting like Red Grange,
like the grumble of the tuba, like the sugar war in Cuba,
like the bill-collectors, like the Law-respecters,
like the pimps and prostitutes, like Mickey Mouse and Puss-in-Boots,
like the churches and the jails, like Astor's hounds and quails,
she's like you like her, now don't you try to spike her,
she's the nuts, she's a mile of Camel butts,
she's honey in the money, she's my pearl,
what am I offered for being alive and willing to marry the girl?
though her insides rumble and her joints are out of whack,
let's give her a whirl, why grumble or try to draw back?
though her hair is false and her teeth are yellow,
let's get chummy, let's all get a break. For what's a fellow
got at stake, for what's a guy to do
who hasn't the guts to deal with sluts, guys like me and you.




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