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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE RETORT DISCOURTEOUS, by BERTON BRALEY Poet's Biography First Line: When harding gave a party, with disarmament the aim Last Line: "and of course we couldn't be as rude as that!" Subject(s): Parties | |||
(Reminiscence of the Genoa Conference.) When Harding gave a party, with disarmament the aim, He asked the other nations -- and the other nations came; And they labored very hearty With co-op-er-a-tive zest So that Warren's little party Could be numbered with the best; Though there now and then were traces of a clash of various races, All the ructions and the rows were very small, And the nations' hopes were blended with enthusiasm splendid And a very pleasant time was had by all! Now Europe gives a party of an economic style And says, "You must come over," with a most engaging smile, But this gentlemanly nation Has a half-a-dozen fits While it tears the invitation Into tiny little bits, And our president grows trembly lest we gather in assembly With the European nations over there; Though they came and joined his party with enthusiasm hearty, He rejects their invitation with a glare! Which may be democratic (with a very tiny "d"), But it appears exceedingly unsportsmanlike to me; If we treated Europe rightly We would courteously say, "Since you joined us so politely In your polished foreign way, We'll consider it a pleasure to extend to you full measure Of our counsel and to join your friendly chat; To do otherwise were rudeness of a most abysmal crudeness And of course we couldn't be as rude as that!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OLD RIVER ROAD by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS LOUISE SIGHS, SUCH A LONG WINTER, THIS by MARY JO BANG THE ODD WOMAN by MADELINE DEFREES THE WEDDING PARTY by NORMAN DUBIE BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB by DANIEL HALPERN THE DINNER-PARTY by AMY LOWELL BALLROOM DARK by CLARENCE MAJOR NEW YEAR'S EVES by ALICE NOTLEY YOUR NAME ENGRAVED ON A GRAIN OF RICE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE |
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