Only a pin, let it calmly lay, On the carpet floor in the light of day; And shone serene and clear and bright Reflecting back the noon-day light. Only a boy, yet he saw that pin, And his face assumed a fiendish grin, He stopped for awhile, with look intent, Till he and the pin were alike bent. Only a chair, but upon its seat A well-bent pin found safe retreat; Nor could the keenest eye discern That heavenward its point did turn. Only a man, but he chanced to drop Upon that chair; when -- bank! whia! pop! Like a cork from a bottle of champagne He bounced right up from that chair again. Only a yell, but an honest one. It lacked the remotest idea of fun; And man and boy, and pin and chair In close communion mingled there. Only the pin out of all the four Alone no trace of damage bore; The man was mad and dreadfully sore; He lathered that boy behind and before, The chair lay smashed upon the floor, Its seat was not hurt, but the boy was raw. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NO PLATONIQUE LOVE by WILLIAM CARTWRIGHT HYMN TO MONT BLANC [IN THE VALE OF CHAMOUNI] by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE ANNIVERSARY [ANNIVERSARIE] by JOHN DONNE A TERRIBLE INFANT by FREDERICK LOCKER-LAMPSON A DEDICATION by ALFRED TENNYSON THE SCHOLARS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |