The poem
Speakin' in general, I'ave tried 'em all The 'appy roads that take you o'er the world. Speakin' in general, I'ave found them good For such as cannot use one bed too long, But must get 'ence, the same as I'ave done, An' go observin' matters till they die.
What do it matter where or 'ow we die, So long as we've our 'ealth to watch it all— The different ways that different things are done, An' men an' women lovin' in this world; Takin' our chances as they come along, An' when they ain't, pretendin' they are good?
In cash or credit—no, it aren't no good; You've to 'ave the 'abit or you'd die, Unless you lived your life but one day long, Nor didn't prophesy nor fret at all, But drew your tucker some'ow from the world, An' never bothered what you might ha' done.
But, Gawd, what things are they I'aven't done? I've turned my 'and to most, an' turned it good, In various situations round the world For 'im that doth not work must surely die; But that's no reason man should labour all 'Is life on one same shift—life's none so long.
Therefore, from job to job I've moved along. Pay couldn't 'old me when my time was done, For something in my 'ead upset it all, Till I'ad dropped whatever 'twas for good, An', out at sea, be'eld the dock-lights die, An' met my mate—the wind that tramps the world!
It's like a book, I think, this bloomin, world, Which you can read and care for just so long, But presently you feel that you will die Unless you get the page you're readi'n' done, An' turn another—likely not so good; But what you're after is to turn'em all.
Gawd bless this world! Whatever she'oth done— Excep' When awful long—I've found it good. So write, before I die, "'E liked it all!"
I REALLY LIKE THIS POEM! (sorry, didn't mean to startle you. . .) :) As to why I am fond of this poem: 1) This poem is SO much fun to read out loud! The dialect notations made it fairly easy to take on the character of the narrator. 2) I either identify or admire the thoughts expressed by the character, in many aspects*: *Finding myself single (much to my surprise), my only mate is also "the wind that tramps the…
Read the whole commentI REALLY LIKE THIS POEM! (sorry, didn't mean to startle you. . .) :)
As to why I am fond of this poem:
1) This poem is SO much fun to read out loud! The dialect notations made it fairly easy to take on the character of the narrator.
2) I either identify or admire the thoughts expressed by the character, in many aspects*:
*Finding myself single (much to my surprise), my only mate is also "the wind that tramps the world". . .
* I too have a great desire to try "the 'appy roads that take you o'er the world" -- I personally wish I could go everywhere, see everything. . . "to watch it all--the different ways that different things are done. . ."
* I LOVE the book analagy that is presented in the next-to-last stanza -- what an amazing metaphor (in my opinion).
* Even though it's obvious he's not been wealthy or had an easy life, he still has SUCH a positive attitude, expressed throughout the poem, and summed up in the final three lines. I too have struggled and had anything but an easy life -- and I have to admit I often struggle to have a good attitude -- and sometimes fail. This poem is an inspiration to me (I might just print it up and frame it). . .
Well, I've taken up enough of your time. I think you get the general drift of "why I like this poem". . .
what is another literary device except for the simile the previous person mentioned in this poem?