When you were born We called you, "Little Poem." Your mother liked Gay verses -- But God wanted her For part of His Great Poem. . . . You were a funny little verse -- She would have liked you. Then -- You were a Short-short. An incident or two -- And yet, a story; Complete, in your way. Now you are grown. Privately, I call you a Novelette. A story. . . . But not fully characterized. Plotted. . . . But no counter-plots. A few more years -- And you will be a Novel. A Complete Book-length Novel! . . . . . . . I hope I've helped. I hope we've created A good Novel. One your mother will read with pleasure. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? by PAUL VERLAINE FREEDOM AND LOVE by THOMAS CAMPBELL FIRST BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 17. SIC TRANSIT by THOMAS CAMPION THE EXILE'S SONG by ROBERT GILFILLAN HIS REQUEST TO JULIA by ROBERT HERRICK THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE CRICKET by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT |