Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MATRIMONIAL MELODIES: 1. ASHES TO ASHES, by BERTON BRALEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MATRIMONIAL MELODIES: 1. ASHES TO ASHES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: You smoke yourself, my dear. Then why
Last Line: I make my meaning plain, I trust!
Subject(s): Smoking; Tobacco; Pipes; Cigars; Cigarettes


You smoke yourself, my dear. Then why—
I listen for your prompt reply—
Why don't you get, as I advise,
Some ash-trays of a decent size?

You have 'em? Yes, contraptions made
Of agate, lusterware and jade,
Artistic things with lovely gloss
And just about an inch across.

I bought some once—an ample type
To hold the ashes of a pipe,
Cigar and cigarette as well;
The largest ash-trays that they sell.

What did you do? You raised a roar,
You called each tray a cuspidor,
Put them outside at various spots
And used them as your flower pots.

All right! But if you won't agree
To buy trays large enough for me
You needn't make a single kick
If ashes on the rug are thick,

And if you find them—as you will—
On table, chair and window-sill.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
I make my meaning plain, I trust!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net