CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, where would I be If you had never crossed the sea, If you had never thought the earth a ball, If you had never cared to sail at all? Suppose the kind Queen Isabel Had loved her jewels far too well To sell them for a sailor true Like you, Christopher Columbus; Suppose your small ships made of wood, Were not so trusty, strong, and good, We should not keep your day each year, And I should not be standing here; Perhaps I'd live far, far away And never know Columbus Day. My house and every building tall -- The school would not be here at all; Along the street where people go Only strong, strong trees would grow; And everywhere on lake and hill The land would be quite dark and still, With only wigwams on the ground And Indian children walking round, And not a stars and stripes in sight At evening or in morning light! O dear, I wonder where I'd be If you had never crossed the sea, Christopher Columbus; I like it better far this way; I like to live at home and play; And so I'll keep Columbus Day! I'm glad you sailed, I'm glad you knew The earth is round; I'm glad the good queen trusted you, I'm glad you were so brave and wise and true! Christopher Columbus. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...O DREAMS, O DESTINATIONS by CECIL DAY LEWIS LA NOCHE TRISTE by ROBERT FROST TRIFLE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SORROWING LOVE by KATHERINE MANSFIELD AT SAGAMORE HILL by EDGAR LEE MASTERS GOD AND MY COUNTRY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |