Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CITY SQUARE, by FAIRFAX DOWNEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CITY SQUARE, by                    
First Line: I had a diploma
Last Line: Since they don't like diplomas, not anywhere there.
Subject(s): Cities; Education; Job Hunting; Universities & Colleges; Urban Life


I had a diploma,
A brand new diploma,
I took my diploma
To the city square.
I wanted a job there,
A pretty fair job there,
And I looked for a job there
'Most everywhere.

For I went to a bank where they wanted a messenger.
("Ten bucks a week for a lively messenger.")
"I can be a cashier and not a mere messenger."
But they hadn't a job there, not anywhere there.

I had a diploma,
And an M.A. diploma,
I took my diplomas
To the city square.
I did want a job there,
And no baby's job there,
And I looked for a job there
'Most everywhere.

And I went down to Wall Street where they hire runner boys
("Sure, there's a chance for a trusty runner boy.")
"Have you a partnership? I'm not a runner boy."
But they hadn't a partnership, not anywhere there.

I got a diploma,
A Ph.D. one.
I took it in my hand
To the city square.
I was after a job there
(I did need a job there)
And I looked for a job there
'Most everywhere.

So I went to a place where they sold fine real estate.
("Commissions for a wide-awake salesman of real estate.")
"Let me in the firm, I don't like selling real estate."
But they hadn't got a job there, not anywhere there.

I had nothing,
It seemed I had nothing,
So I didn't go down
To the city square.
But I went back to college,
To teach at college,
And there were diplomas
'Most everywhere.

So I'm sorry for the wage slaves who sell fine real estate,
I pity the frenzy of the stock exchange,
I'm sad for the money-mad banking interests,
Since they don't like diplomas, not anywhere there.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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