Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MODERN JAIL, by WALT MASON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MODERN JAIL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We've made our jails so snug and warm
Last Line: "like this they'd know, if they were vags,"" sighs richard roe."
Subject(s): Prisons & Prisoners


WE'VE made our jails so snug and warm, impervious to cold and storm, that
Richard Roe is glad to dwell all winter in his cozy cell. We've cleaned the
walls and scrubbed the floors, and whitewashed ceilings, bars and doors, till
sanitation cranks declare there are no harmful microbes there. The jail's
inspected now and then by uplift dames and faddish men, who analyze the forks
and spoons and push their noses in the prunes. The parsons there distribute
tracts, and scientists take useful facts; we all take books and magazines, and
floral wreaths and kindred greens, and try to make the village jug more cheerful

still, and still more snug. And from the window Richard Roe looks out upon the
drifting snow, and sees the poor unlucky jays, who have not drawn their sixty
days, by weary efforts strive to earn some grub to eat, some coal to burn. "How

foolish are the sons of toil, who sweat to make the kettle boil, since luxury
like this they'd know, if they were vags," sighs Richard Roe.





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