Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HARD LUCK, by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON Poet's Biography First Line: I left the course, and by my side Last Line: Beside the circular quay. Alternate Author Name(s): Paterson, 'banjo' Subject(s): Luck | ||||||||
I left the course, and by my side There walked a ruined tout -- A hungry creature, evil-eyed, Who poured this story out. 'You see,' he said, 'there came a swell To Kensington today, And, if I picked the winners well, A crown at least he'd pay. 'I picked three winners straight, I did; I filled his purse with pelf, And then he gave me half-a-quid To back one for myself. 'A half-a-quid to me he cast -- I wanted it indeed; So help me Bob, for two days past I haven't had a feed. 'But still I thought my luck was in, I couldn't go astray -- I put it all on Little Min, And lost it straightaway. 'I haven't got a bite or bed, I'm absolutely stuck; So keep this lesson in your head: Don't over-trust your luck!' The folks went homeward, near and far, The tout, oh! where was he? Ask where the empty boilers are Beside the Circular Quay. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPRING LEMONADE by TONY HOAGLAND THE FORTUNATE SPILL by MARILYN NELSON MUCHAS GRACIAS POR TODO by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE SOME SAY YOU'RE LUCKY by GREGORY ORR THE LIFE OF TOWNS: LUCK TOWN by ANNE CARSON OF MONEY by BARNABY (BARNABE) GOOGE A BALLAD OF DUCKS by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON |
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