Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLADE OF A CONSPICUOUS OMISSION, by CAROLYN WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLADE OF A CONSPICUOUS OMISSION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Yes, I admit I've made a book
Last Line: Why did I leave out t. A. Daly?
Subject(s): Authors And Authorship; Books; Criticism & Critics; Daly, Thomas Augustine (1871-1948); Reading


YES, I admit I've made a book,
A book of many humorous lays;
I put in stuff by Hood and Hook,
I put in bits of Knight's and Day's.
And gems of Guiterman's and Gay's;
And lines by Cary, Carryl, Cayley;
Yet critics all this question raise,
Why did I leave out T. A. Daly?

Over my Indices I look
(They are enough my brain to faze),
When critics' heads at me are shook,
I feel that I must mend my ways.
This Parthian shaft of F. P. A.'s
I read -- no longer laughing gayly --
For, though he favors, he inveighs --
Why did I leave out T. A. Daly?

Christopher Morley then partook
In the discriminating praise;
He said, omit Eliza Cook,
Or leave out Rabelais or Blaize;
Cut out that elegy of Gray's
Or evidences of old Paley;
But -- he inquired -- in caustic phrase,
Why did I leave out T. A. Daly?

L'ENVOI:

Colyumists, thanks for your bouquets;
And yet I'm sad. Oh, willow waly,
When I crowned many bards with bays,
Why did I leave out T. A. Daly?





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