Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AN APPRECIATION by RUTH LAMBERT JONES

First Line: CLINICAL THERMOMETER, / INFALLIBLE BAROMETER
Last Line: I HAVE PROOF POSITIVE I'M DEAD!
Subject(s): SICKNESS; ILLNESS;

Clinical thermometer,
Infallible barometer,
How should I know if sick or well,
Were you, my guide, not there to tell?

For though I may feel passing ill,
Let me behold you tarry still
At six good tenths plus ninety-eight --
My symptoms quickly dissipate.

While when, though feeling strong and fit,
Full ninety-nine I see you hit,
My error I'm not slow to own
With sigh and languor, plaint and groan.

And if, refusing cold to soar,
You drop instead to ninety-four,
My doubts dissolve, false hopes are sped --
I have proof positive I'm dead!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net