Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE EXILE, by BERTON BRALEY Poet's Biography First Line: I'm sick of the mongol and tartar Last Line: Oh, lord, but I want to go home! Subject(s): Homesickness | ||||||||
I'm sick of the Mongol and Tartar I'm sick of the Jap and Malay, And far-away spots on the chart are No place for yours truly to stay. I've had enough undersized chicken And milk that comes out of a can; The East is no region to stick in For this one particular man. I'm weary of curry and rice all Commingled with highly spiced dope, I'm weary of bathing with Lysol And washing with carbolic soap. I'm tired of itch, skin diseases, Mosquitoes and vermin and flies; I'm fed up on tropical breezes And sunshine that dazzles my eyes. Oh, Lord, for a wind with a tingle, An atmosphere zestful and keen, Oh, Lord, once again just to mingle With crowds that are white folksand Clean. To eat without fear of infection, To sleep without using a net, And throw away all my collection Of Iodine, Quinine, et cet. To know all the noise and the clamor The hurry and fret of the West I'd trade all the Orient Glamour That damned lying poets suggest. They sing of the East as enthralling (And that's why I started to roam) ButI hear the Occident calling Oh, Lord, but I want to go home! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PLAINT OF THE DISGUSTED BRITON IN THE STATES by GEORGE SANTAYANA OUTSIDE FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA by JAMES WRIGHT HOME-THOUGHTS, FROM ABROAD by ROBERT BROWNING MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME by STEPHEN COLLINS FOSTER HOMESICK BLUES by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES SEVEN TIMES SEVEN [- LONGING FOR HOME] by JEAN INGELOW SONNET: TO L.T. IN FLORENCE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |
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