Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DISTRICT TELEGRAPH BOY, by LOUIS JONES MAGEE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DISTRICT TELEGRAPH BOY, by                    
First Line: Hear the clatter of those feet
Last Line: "get a steak."
Subject(s): Beef; Food & Eating; Telegraph; Telegrams


HEAR the clatter of those feet;
See him coming up the street
On the trot!

He is going to the Greens;
No, he's going to the Dean's,
Is he not?

See the uniform of blue,
And the shiny letters, too,
On his cap.

I imagine he is quite
An intelligent and bright
Little chap.

What a careless tune he hums,
And how innocently comes
Hurrying.

Ah, how little does he know
Of the happiness or woe
He can bring!

Now he brings a hopeless sigh;
Now a sparkle to the eye;
Now a tear.

More of griefs, I think, than joys --
Why! the fateful little boy's
Coming here!

Goodness, how he pulls the bell!
He has some bad news to tell,
I'm afraid.

Oh, I hope it's not for me!
Alice, sign for it, and see
If it's paid.

It is surely not from Will,
For his morning smoke is still
In the air.

Has poor uncle breathed his last?
Has his weary spirit passed
From all care?

Then poor auntie is bereft,
And that sunny home is left
Fatherless.

Or old Cousin Ed and May
'Ve gone and had another ba --
By, I guess.

What if John has lost, poor man,
Little Clementine or Nan,
Or his wife!

Oh the hopefulness, the fears!
Oh the rapture! oh the tears!
Of this life!

I don't like the thing a bit;
I don't dare to open it;
How I shake!

Why, it's from that man of mine:
"Will bring partner home to dine;
Get a steak."





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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