Poems (Strong)/The Pelican in the Wilderness
THE PELICAN IN THE WILDERNESSFeb. 9, 1904. Bear's Cut (the Horseshoe Beach)
From yonder wild and lonesome wood, Where stands a gnarled tree,The Pelican now issues forth In curiositee.He views me with distrustful eye As if to say, "Just see,There is another crazy loon A-writing about me.From David's to the present time They all have let me be,Because a face and name like mine Don't go in poetree.For years unnumbered, countless, aye, For many a centuree,I've spent my time in living up To that old psalmistree.It's tiresome to haunt the wilds With such persistencee; But David there has writ me down And so I am not free.But, really now, my style pronounced Should my protection be;When poets want some novel point, They need n't fix on me."Then, weary of the theme, he sought The wood, and moodileeThe Pel. sat in the wilderness And sulks upon a tree.
MARBLEHEAD, MISS RICE AND L. C. S.: 1902