Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FRANCISCA DILIGENTE; MAY TO AUGUST, 1906, by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL First Line: No more 'indifferent to fate Last Line: In watchings round the golden gate. Subject(s): Ingratitude; San Francisco Earthquake And Fire (1906); Ungratefulness | ||||||||
No more "Indifferent to Fate She sits beside the Golden Gate;" But casts about with watchful eyes If Diligence perchance surprise Some wandering relief supplies; We thought we had no public squares, But she has found them everywheres; They showed up quick with army tents And shacks and cooking implements; While from a bread line improvised Good things she duly authorized, With life no longer simplified To coffee and a bacon side. She mothers well these refuge camps; And watches all the flickering lamps. South Market Street in peace abides Indefinite upon the sides Of hilly parks whose sacred green Had never such despoiling seen. In vain the neighbors may protest That this continuance is no jest, For mighty ones serenely say, "These camper folk have come to stay;" While vicious wags, "Ah, ha! The boats Political are steered by votes!" She gives them tent-schools every day; The bands for them on Sunday play; Sermons and hymns, each to his mind, Assorted here the pious find. A table d'hôte she has essayed Beneath the park trees' ready shade; Till those who toil for bread and cheese Have sometimes envied refugees. Who would attack a pile of brick When soup was waiting hot and thick? Who likes the mortar-laden breeze While seats are empty under trees? And yet, her naughty children cried: "O Ma, such eggs! They ain't half fried." Hear that, ye hapless ones who pay And humbly take what comes your way. Ingratitude was such surprise That poor Francisca wiped her eyes, And thought of her reduced supplies; Not being learned in landlord lore Of showing grumblers to the door. Far from indifferent, of late She oftentimes consults with Fate In watchings round the Golden Gate. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INGRATITUDE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH INGRATITUDE by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES INGRATITUDE by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON THE JOURNEY AND OBSERVATIONS OF A COUNTRYMAN: A DEATHBED by JOHN HAWTHORN THE STAFF AND THE SCRIP by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI SONNET: INGRATITUDE by ANNA SEWARD ON BRUTUS, AN ODE: HEAVY GOING by JOHN SHEFFIELD 87 CASA GRANDE by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL A BILIOUS DAY by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL |
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