Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE GNU by HILAIRE BELLOC

Poet Analysis

First Line: G. STANDS FOR GNU, WHOSE WEAPONS OF DEFENCE
Last Line: THAT EVEN HAYDY BOERS PRONOUNCE IT WRONG
Subject(s): GNUS;

G stands for Gnu, whose weapon of defence
Are long, sharp, curling horns, and common sense.
To these he adds a name so short and strong,
That even hardy Boers pronounce it wrong.
How often on a bright autumnal day
The pious people of Pretoria say,
Come, let us hunt the______' Then no more is heard
but sounds of strong men struggling with a word;
Meanwhile the distant Gnu with grateful eyes
Oberserves his opportunity and flies.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net