NOAH'S granddaughter Sat on his knee; Her questions like water Gushed ceaselessly. Her hair's gilded wool Seems the sun's tent; Her mouth, a grape golden-cool, Shows through the rent. Noah's replies Are all one hears; And the small ripples rise Like listening ass-ears. "That young giraffe? His proud elevation Raises a laugh To the height of quotation. . . . The camel's face Is like Mrs. Grundy's; He makes that grimace At working on Sundays. The kangaroo, chaste, Of Victorian complexion, Wears at her waist Each pledge of affection. The trunk of the elephant Is not a box, The cock's gilded crown can't Frighten the fox." * * * * * The sea-gods talk Greek . . . But they learn the word "why"; Like leaves of the palm, Their beards, gilded and dry Are spreading upon The blue marble Pompeii Whose temples are gone (So the sea seems); Aglae Asks "What for?" . . . The waves' door Begins to slam. Like water the questions pour. Noah said "Damn!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HAIL TEESSIDE! by CECIL DAY LEWIS THE SMALL SELF AND THE LIBERAL SELF by JAMES GALVIN THE ORANGE PICKER by DAVID IGNATOW RECOMPENSE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. PURKAPILE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. SIBLEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS DILIGENCE IS TO MAGIC AS PROGRESS IS TO FLIGHT by MARIANNE MOORE |