Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BOOTLEGGER, by STANLEY H. CAUFFMAN First Line: I'm a peddler bold, and my trade's as old Last Line: To see who'll be damned the first! Subject(s): Cruelty; Pain; Peddlers & Peddling; Soul; Suffering; Misery | ||||||||
I'm a peddler bold, and my trade's as old As the cold in the winter's sky; My pack is crammed with contraband, And damned be the souls who buy. Though I wear a leer of evil cheer It's a tear that I trade with you; For my charge is pain, till your spirit's slain, And my gain is the sin I do. My wine is filled with the blood that's spilled From the killed who have died for me; Yet the dew from the grave of the shackled slave You'll crave, though it bitter be. It's the soft caress of a silken tress, And the press of two perfumed lips When you raise the glass -- but these visions pass, And, alas! 'Tis a beast who sips. Oh, true! 'Twill sing like a purling spring, But the sting of a venomous toad Lies near its heart, so with virtue part When you start on the downward road. For its fragrant breath is the flower of death In lethal drops distilled; And the lewd desires its taste inspires From the fires of hell were spilled. Yes, my trade's as old as the love of gold, And coldly I've victims sought; If my cup you drain you will buy again, For I reign over the serfs who bought. Come! Pay, you fool, for it's I who rule, And I'm cruel to the men who thirst; For I'm peddling death! And I hold my breath To see who'll be damned the first! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PARTHENOPHIL AND PARTHENOPHE: MADRIGAL 14 by BARNABE BARNES SONNETS IN SHADOWS: 1 by ARLO BATES IN PRAISE OF PAIN by HEATHER MCHUGH THE SYMPATIZERS by JOSEPHINE MILES LEEK STREET by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR TO EMILIE BIGELOW HAPGOOD - PHILANTHROPIST by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: JUDGE SELAH LIVELY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |
|