Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DANCE TIME, by JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It's I live in a very wise town Last Line: "than once upon a time!" Alternate Author Name(s): Marks, Lionel S., Mrs. Subject(s): Books; Learning; Towns; Wisdom; Reading | ||||||||
IT'S I live in a very wise town As all wise people know: They read, they write, they read all day As orchard-trees do grow. Said I,I was a young thing then, And a foolish young thing, too, "I will not spend my little life thus; There's much I'd rather do. "For I would rather look at you This way, with happy looks, Than lose the stars from my two eyes With poring over books. "I'd rather far be red and white For stupid folks to see Than write nine books for little dull worms To eat them, leisurely. "And I would rather have it said When all my days are through, 'O she was good to see and hear And say Good-morning to!' "When learning makes you white and red And fresh as west-winds blow, I may spend sun and candle-light To learn what they all know. "But O, the wise in this wise town, They have no longer prime. And there are fewer wise men, now, Than once upon a time!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWO SONNETS: 1 by DAVID LEHMAN THE ILLUSTRATION?ÇÖA FOOTNOTE by DENISE LEVERTOV FALLING ASLEEP OVER THE AENEID by ROBERT LOWELL POETRY MACHINES by CATE MARVIN LENDING LIBRARY by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY AFTER MUSIC by JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY |
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