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...COUNTRY SUMMER by LEONIE ADAMS ON A DEAD CHILD by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES FIVE EYES by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE BERNARDO DEL CARPIO by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS CORONATION by HELEN MARIA HUNT FISKE JACKSON JINNY THE JUST by MATTHEW PRIOR DOOMSDAY: TREASURES IN HEAVEN by WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1567-1640) |