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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CLERK, by SCUDDER MIDDLETON Poet's Biography First Line: Two and two are four, four and three are seven Last Line: Through the long celestial day. Subject(s): Heaven; Office Employees; Paradise; Clerks | |||
"Two and two are four, four and three are seven" -- That is all that he can say where he sits in Heaven; "Two and two are four, four and three are seven" -- Through the long celestial day. "Two and two are four, four and three are seven" -- Once he used to sing it down the halls of Heaven; "Work is hard but there's an answer, Far ahead great things are waiting, I will add the magic Figures, I will seek the gleaming Balance -- I will win the Master's praise." "Two and two are four, four and three are seven" -- Not so careful now in the place of Heaven; "Work is good but there is pleasure, I am young with time before me -- O bright angel, from the shops of Heaven, Dance awhile, the Harper's playing -- Drink the rainbow wine with me!" "Two and two are four, four and three are seven" -- Then he only droned it on his stool in Heaven; "Work is bread and bread is living, Little mouths grow very hungry In the rooms of Paradise -- She must wear a golden feather When she walks along the sky." "Two and two are four, four and three are seven" -- Just a whisper now through the walls of Heaven; "O I can not find the error, Can not strike the gleaming Balance -- All the magic's out of Figures, All the wonder out of loving, And the Master has no praise." "Two and two are four, four and three are seven" -- Still he mutters on at the books of Heaven -- "Work is bread and bread is living" -- Through the long celestial day. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OFFICE POLITICS by WANDA COLEMAN WHITE, WHITE COLLARS by DENIS JOHNSON A DEATH AT THE OFFICE by TED KOOSER OFFICE PARTY: DISTAFF VIEW by KAREN SWENSON THIRTY BOB A WEEK by JOHN DAVIDSON THE CLERKS by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON |
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