Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SHOEMAKER, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Thou poet, who, like any lark Last Line: Upon his latest tramp. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Feet; Poetry & Poets; Shoes; Boots; Sneakers; Shoemakers | ||||||||
THOU Poet, who, like any lark, Dost whet thy beak and trill From misty morn till murky dark, Nor ever pipe thy fill: Hast thou not, in thy cheery note, One poor chirp to confer -- One verseful twitter to devote Unto the Shoe-ma-ker? At early dawn he doth peg in His noble work and brave; And eke from cark and worldly sin He seeketh soles to save; And all day long, with quip and song, Thus stitcheth he the way Our feet may know the right from wrong Nor ever go astray. Soak kip in mind the Shoe-ma-ker, Nor slight his lasting frame: Alway he waxeth tenderer In warmth of our acclaim; -- Ay, more than any artisan We glory in his art Who ne'er, to help the under man, Neglects the upper part. But toe the mark for him, and heel Respond to thee in kine -- Or kid -- or calf, shouldst thou reveal A taste so superfine: Thus let him jest -- join in his laugh -- Draw on his stock, and be A shoer'd there's no rival half- Sole liberal as he. Then, Poet, hail the Shoe-ma-ker For all his goodly deeds, -- Yea, bless him free for booting thee -- The first of all thy needs! And when at last his eyes grow dim, And nerveless drops his clamp, In golden shoon pray think of him Upon his latest tramp. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BROKEN SANDAL by DENISE LEVERTOV FOR AL-TAYIB SALIH by KHALED MATTAWA SNEAKERS by E. ETHELBERT MILLER BLACK NIKES by HARRYETTE MULLEN THE FURY OF OVERSHOES by ANNE SEXTON A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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