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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DISASTER, by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY Poet's Biography First Line: Twas ever thus from childhood's hour Last Line: If some big dog should swallow tiny. Subject(s): Ingenuity; Pets | |||
'T WAS ever thus from childhood's hour My fondest hopes would not decay: I never loved a tree or flower Which was the first to fade away! The garden, where I used to delve Short-frocked, still yields me pinks in plenty; The pear-tree that I climbed at twelve, I see still blossoming, at twenty. I never nursed a dear gazelle. But I was given a paroquet -- How I did nurse him if unwell! He's imbecile but lingers yet. He's green, with an enchanting tuft; He melts me with his small black eye: He'd look inimitable stuffed, And knows it -- but he will not die! I had a kitten -- I was rich In pets -- but all too soon my kitten Became a full-sized eat, by which I've more than once been scratched and bitten: And when for sleep her limbs she curled One day beside her untouched plateful, And glided calmly from the world, I freely own that I was grateful. And then I bought a dog -- a queen! Ah, Tiny, dear departing pug! She lives, but she is past sixteen, And scarce can crawl across the rug. I loved her beautiful and kind; Delighted in her pert bow-wow: But now she snaps if you don't mind; 'T were lunacy to love her now. I used to think, should e'er mishap Betide my crumple-visaged Ti, In shape of prowling thief, or trap, Or coarse bull-terrier -- I should die. But ah! disasters have their use; And life might e'en be too sunshiny: Nor would I make myself a goose, If some big dog should swallow Tiny. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FAMILY ROMANCE by PETER JOHNSON TWO SONGS OF A FOOL: 1 by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS TWO SONGS OF A FOOL: 2 by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS DRESSING UP OUR PETS by MEI-MEI BERSSENBRUGGE THE FEARFUL CHILD by CAROL FROST POEM WITH ONE FACT by DONALD HALL GEIST'S GRAVE by MATTHEW ARNOLD HIC VIR, HIC EST' by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY |
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