Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PREVARICATING MARY, by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PREVARICATING MARY, by                    
First Line: Mary told a little lie
Last Line: He'd lie himself I think!
Subject(s): Lies; Sin; Truth


Mary told a little lie,
It wasn't very wrong,
And then she told another one
To help the first along!

The second was not very bad
But paved the way for more,
And soon to make her stories jibe
Sweet Mary told a score.

Like others who have tried this game,
(I'm one, without a doubt),
Our Mary learned that one fine day
Her lies had been found out.

Now what will little Mary do?
Her stock of tales runs low,
Perhaps the truth will help a bit,
I hope it will prove so,

For Mary is a real good girl
Despite those naughty lies,
She looks and acts quite innocent,
And she has rougish eyes.

And when she smiles (Lord bless my soul),
I lose my head and heart,
I quite forgive her stories and
I lie to take her part!

I've wondered oft if when I die
And climb the golden stairs,
Will Peter turn his back on me
Or listen to my prayers?

Will he condemn me for the lies
Which I have learned to tell
Because of her, this naughty wight
And pack me off to—well

I guess St. Pete will understand
And pass me with a wink,
If he but sees Miss Mary smile
He'd lie himself I think!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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