Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A PINE TREE AIN'T A MAPLE, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A PINE TREE AIN'T A MAPLE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Old crazy pete he says to me
Last Line: But not as crazy as you think.
Subject(s): Trees


Old Crazy Pete he says to me,
"A pine tree ain't a maple tree,

"A tamarack it ain't an oak."
"Of course," says I. "Now what's the joke?"

"Just this: At times a wife or boss
(They're much alike -- it's hoss and hoss)

"Expect an oak to be a pine --
Or so, at least, have all of mine."

"I guess that I don't follow you,"
Says I, "or what you're leadin' to."

"The oak is strong," he says. "It ain't
As soft as pine for takin' paint.

"For hardness maple sure is good,
But it don't give like other wood."

"Of course," says I, "they differ; each
Has its own value -- even beech."

"Just so. The man who's built to lift
Won't likely have no other gift.

"The man who's handy with his brain
Won't never bust no lawggin'-chain.

"The good providers seldom lead
In table manners takin' feed.

"Whereas, upon the other hand,
The loafer's manners may be grand.

"I guess we all are just like these --
Have certain virtues, men and trees.

"And yet some women set and bawl
Because their man ain't got em all.

"I guess they ought to just be glad
We had the virtues that we had

"And not be sad because us folks
Ain't tamaracks as well as oaks."

This Pete is sure a crazy gink --
But not as crazy as you think.





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