Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IF WE DIDN'T HAVE TO EAT, by NIXON WATERMAN Poet's Biography First Line: Life would be an easy matter Last Line: We could get there if we didn't have to eat. Alternate Author Name(s): Martin, Peter Subject(s): Food & Eating; Hunger; Life | ||||||||
LIFE would be an easy matter If we didn't have to eat. If we never had to utter, "Won't you pass the bread and butter, Likewise push along that platter Full of meat?" Yes, if food were obsolete Life would be a jolly treat, If we didn't -- shine or shower, Old or young, 'bout every hour -- Have to eat, eat, eat, eat, eat -- 'Twould be jolly if we didn't have to eat We could save a lot of money If we didn't have to eat. Could we cease our busy buying, Baking, broiling, brewing, frying, Life would then be oh, so sunny And complete; And we wouldn't fear to greet Every grocer in the street If we didn't -- man and woman, Every hungry, helpless human -- Have to eat, eat, eat, eat, eat -- We'd save money if we didn't have to eat. All our worry would be over If we didn't have to eat. Would the butcher, baker, grocer Get our hard-earned dollars? No, Sir! We would then be right in clover Cool and sweet. Want and hunger we could cheat, And we'd get there with both feet, If we didn't -- poor or wealthy, Halt or nimble, sick or healthy -- Have to eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, We could get there if we didn't have to eat. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRIVILEGE OF BEING by ROBERT HASS SEAWATER STIFFENS CLOTH by JANE HIRSHFIELD SAYING YES TO LIVING by DAVID IGNATOW THE WORLD IS SO DIFFICULT TO GIVE UP by DAVID IGNATOW UNDERSTANDING by NIXON WATERMAN |
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