Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MY GRANDMAMMA'S SEDAN, by JENNIE BETTS HARTSWICK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MY GRANDMAMMA'S SEDAN, by                    
First Line: The ladies of st. James'' / went 'swinging to the play'
Last Line: With skill and grace, comes on apace, my grandmamma's sedan!
Subject(s): Automobiles; Grandparents; Cars; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers


"The ladies of St. James'"
Went "swinging to the play"
In puffed and panniered panoply
Dim yestereves away,
And with those gracious dames --
As gentle and as fair --
My proudly-boasted ancestress
Was carried in her chair.

In leisured state she rode,
At what a prudent pace,
Lest jolt or jar should rudely mar
Her furbelows and lace.
Her farthingale was stowed --
Ah, what a business there,
Its billows lapped her fragile feet --
Within the swaying chair

And through the darksome thoroughfares, the little link-boys ran,
With nimble gait, before my great-great-grandmamma's Sedan.
But that was yesteryear; --
To-day I gaily greet
A shining chariot that rolls
Along a brilliant street.
Its windows, gleaming clear,
A figure trim reveal,
Whose kidded fingers' light caress
Control a vibrant wheel.

All warily she heeds
The Law's majestic glance,
As down the Avenue she glides
In velvety advance.
But when the tide recedes,
And city confines pass,
With what a firm and dainty foot
She steps upon the gas.

In crowded mart or leafy lane make way, admiring man --
With skill and grace, comes on apace, my grandmamma's Sedan!





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