Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HUNGER INN, by JESSICA NELSON NORTH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HUNGER INN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Waiter, waiter!
Last Line: "just as you say, madam."
Alternate Author Name(s): Macdonald, Reed I., Mrs.
Subject(s): Fame; Love; Reputation


Waiter, waiter!
The hour is late.
Bring me love on a silver plate,
Topped with green from the coolest springs,
Garnished with kisses in golden rings,
Warmed with laughter and spiced with tears,
The love I've famished for all these years.

"We're just out of love, tonight, Madam."

Then hasten, hasten.
The moments pass.
Bring me fame in a tall thin glass,
Ice to clink with a tinkling sound,
Mint-leaves traveling round and round,
Frothy bubbles to break and gleam,
The heady draught of my headiest dream.

"The cellars are empty, Madam."

But, waiter, waiter,
An hour is spent!
Bring me a bowl of old content.
The good contentment we used to bake
In a round brown bowl of the earthen make,
Seasoned well with a housewife's pride, --
Crispy crust, but a soft inside,
Not so rich as a finer dish
But hot and tasty as heart could wish.

"We can't get the ingredients, Madam."

Your fare is poor and your service slow,
Hungry I came, I'll hungry go.
Perchance I can feed me further on.
Bring me my wrap and I'll be gone.

"Just as you say, Madam."





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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