LADY dear, the living flame Is ashes on my brow; My days are done, ere half begun— I'm not a poet now! I never ask a pretty girl To roam beneath the moon, I never beg the deaf, deaf stars To sprinkle down a boon; I never write a sonnet, and I scorn to make a bow— No use of so much fuss, I swear— I'm not a poet now! I never babble of the sea, I much prefer a pool, I never try to steal a kiss— I am not such a fool! I never read Anacréon Moore, Too trashy far, I vow; Lord Byron is a dreadful bore— I'm not a poet now! I never flirt in coquette's eyes, With handkerchief or fan, I never squander dimes upon The hurdy-gurdy man; I'm curious in statistics of The anvil and the plow— They know me at the calaboose— I'm not a poet now! I never wander, like a loon, Amid the "shades of night"— I hate your "charming solitudes," They give me such a fright; I like a squalling baby and Am partial to a row, Besides, I am getting very fat— I'm not a poet now! When Mary sings Italian airs I lose my self-command, And wish her "Casta Diva" off To good old Dixie Land! When Sophie simpers for the dance, I swear I know not how— Too big to play such monkey-pranks— I'm not a poet now! I'm working on the principle That two and two make four— Believe the soul of music's in The dray-wheels at the door; Would rather have a shilling piece Than Homer's laurel bough— I'm in the pork and bacon line— I'm not a poet @3now!@1 In callow youth I churned my mind For happiness and fame, While sleep evoked the misty worlds Melodious with my name; But nevermore the dusty days Those fantasies allow: The cobwebs of the brain are gone— I'm not a poet now! Lady dear, the living flame Is ashes on my brow; My days are done, ere half begun— I'm not a poet now! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MA LADY'S LIPS AM LIKE DE HONEY (NEGRO LOVE SONG) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON YOU SAY YOU SAID by MARIANNE MOORE A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 3. AMARYLLIS by THOMAS CAMPION CHANSON INNOCENTE: 2 by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS THAT NATURE IS A HERACLITEAN FIRE & OF THE COMFORT OF THE RESURRECTION by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS SUMMER MATURES by HELENE JOHNSON SONNET: 21. TO CYRIACK SKINNER by JOHN MILTON THOUGHT OF A BRITON ON THE SUBJUGATION OF SWITZERLAND by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |