Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE POOR LISTENER, by WALT MASON



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE POOR LISTENER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I sit in the grocery store, discoursing of current
Last Line: Other fellows a chance.
Subject(s): Grocers; Labor & Laborers; Public Meetings; Speech; Work; Workers; Oratory; Orators


I SIT in the grocery store, discoursing of current events, each eve, when my
labors are o'er, with other industrious gents. We talk of the scrapping in
France, discuss the high prices of hay; and each gives the others a chance to
say what they suffer to say. When Johnson unlimbers his jaws, we listen politely

to him; when Jimpson stands up for his cause, we cheer his remarks with a vim.
There's peace in that grocery store, each orator feels at his best, till
Kickshaw, the champion bore, comes in to take part in the fest. This man, with
his head full of wheels, too oft in our presence has sinned; he wants to make
all of the spiels, to furnish the bulk of the wind. That's why we old fellows
arose, last night, at the grocery store, and lifted that chump with our toes,
and hoisted him clear through the door. Free speech is a blessing to men,
without it no race can advance; but talkers should pause now and then, and give

other fellows a chance.





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