Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MY FAMILIAR, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE Poet's Biography First Line: Again I hear that creaking step Last Line: Who never, never goes! Variant Title(s): The Bore Subject(s): Bores | ||||||||
I. AGAIN I hear that creaking step! -- He's rapping at the door! -- Too well I know the boding sound That ushers in a bore. I do not tremble when I meet The stoutest of my foes, But Heaven defend me from the friend Who comes -- but never goes! II. He drops into my easy-chair, And asks about the news; He peers into my manuscript, And gives his candid views; He tells me where he likes the line, And where he's forced to grieve; He takes the strangest liberties, -- But never takes his leave! III. He reads my daily paper through Before I've seen a word; He scans the lyric (that I wrote) And thinks it quite absurd; He calmly smokes my last cigar, And coolly asks for more; He opens everything he sees -- Except the entry door! IV. He talks about his fragile health, And tells me of the pains He suffers from a score of ills Of which he ne'er complains; And how he struggled once with death To keep the fiend at bay; On themes like those away he goes, -- But never goes away! V. He tells me of the carping words Some shallow critic wrote; And every precious paragraph Familiarly can quote; He thinks the writer did me wrong; He'd like to run him through! He says a thousand pleasant things, -- But never says, "Adieu!" VI. Whene'er he comes, -- that dreadful man, -- Disguise it as I may, I know that, like an Autumn rain, He'll last throughout the day. In vain I speak of urgent tasks; In vain I scowl and pout; A frown is no extinguisher, -- It does not put him out! VII. I mean to take the knocker off, Put crape upon the door, Or hint to John that I am gone To stay a month or more. I do not remble when I meet The stoutest of my foes, But Heaven defend me from the friend Who never, never goes! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A BORE by MELLIN DE SAINT-GELAIS POOH! by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE LA DONNA E PERPETUUM MOBILE by IRWIN EDMAN SATIRE: 1.9. THE BORE; A DRAMATIC VERSION OF HORACE by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS DEATH AND CUPID; AN ALLEGORY by JOHN GODFREY SAXE EARLY RISING by JOHN GODFREY SAXE HOW CYRUS LAID THE CABLE [JULY 29, 1866] by JOHN GODFREY SAXE LITTLE JERRY, THE MILLER by JOHN GODFREY SAXE RAILROAD RHYME by JOHN GODFREY SAXE |
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