Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FREAKS OF FASHION, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Such a hubbub in the nests Last Line: "anything, everything!" Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina Subject(s): Birds | ||||||||
Such a hubbub in the nests, Such a bustle and squeak! Nestlings, guiltless of a feather, Learning just to speak, Ask -- "And how about the fashions?" From a cavernous beak. Perched on bushes, perched on hedges, Perched on firm hahas, Perched on anything that holds them, Gay papas and grave mammas Teach the knowledge-thirsty nestlings: Hear the gay papas. Robin says: "A scarlet waistcoat Will be all the wear, Snug, and also cheerful-looking For the frostiest air, Comfortable for the chest too When one comes to plume and pair." "Neat grey hoods will be in vogue," Quoth a Jackdaw: "glossy grey, Setting close, yet setting easy, Nothing fly-away; Suited to our misty mornings, Ala negligee." Flushing salmon, flushing sulphur, Haughty Cockatoos Answer -- "Hoods may do for mornings, But for evenings choose High head-dresses, curved like crescents Such as well-bred persons use." "Top-knots, yes; yet more essential Still, a train or tail," Screamed the Peacock: "gemmed and lustrous, Not too stiff, and not too frail; Those are best which rearrange as Fans, and spread or trail." Spoke the Swan, entrenched behind An inimitable neck: "After all, there's nothing sweeter For the lawn or lake Than simple white, if fine and flaky And absolutely free from speck." "Yellow," hinted a Canary, "Warmer, not less distingue" "Peach colour," put in a Lory, "Cannot look outre." "All the colours are in fashion, And are right," the Parrots say. "Very well. But do contrast Tints harmonious," Piped a Blackbird, justly proud Of bill aurigerous; "Half the world may learn a lesson As to that from us." Then a Stork took up the word: "Aim at height and chic: Not high heels, they're common; somehow, Stilted legs, not thick, Nor yet thin:" he just glanced downward And snapped-to his beak. Here a rustling and a whirring, As of fans outspread, Hinted that mammas felt anxious Lest the next thing said Might prove less than quite judicious, Or even underbred. So a mother Auk resumed The broken thread of speech: "Let colours sort themselves, my dears, Yellow, or red, or peach; The main points, as it seems to me, We mothers have to teach, "Are form and texture, elegance, And air reserved, sublime; The mode of wearing what we wear With due regard to month and clime. But now, let's all compose ourselves, It's almost breakfast-time." A hubbub, a squeak, a bustle! Who cares to chatter or sing With delightful breakfast coming? Yet they whisper under the wing: "So we may wear whatever we like, Anything, everything!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GLIMPSES OF THE BIRDS by JOHN HOLLANDER GLIMPSES OF THE BIRDS by JOHN HOLLANDER AUDUBON EXAMINES A BITTERN by ANDREW HUDGINS DISPATCHES FROM DEVEREUX SLOUGH by MARK JARMAN A COUNTRY LIFE by RANDALL JARRELL CANADIAN WARBLER by GALWAY KINNELL YELLOW BIRD by KENNETH SLADE ALLING THE CRIPPLE by KARLE WILSON BAKER IT IS FINISHED' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ITALIA, IO TI SALUTO!' by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS' (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |
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