a poem, by cj dennis

[bantha_fodder]

Livejournal, the following is one of only half a dozen poems that I know by heart:


The Triantiwontigongolope, by CJ Dennis

There is a funny insect that you do not often spy,
And it isn't quite a spider, and it isn't quite a fly;
It is something like a beetle, and a little like a bee,
But nothing like a wooly grub that climbs upon a tree.
Its name is quite a hard one, but you'll learn it soon, I hope.
So try:
Tri-
Tri-anti-wonti-
Triantiwontigongolope.


It lives on weeds and wattlegum, and has a funny face;
Its appetite is hearty, and its manners a disgrace.
When first you come upon it, it will give you quite a scare,
But when you look again for it, you find it isn't there.
And unless you call it softly it will stay away and mope.
So try:
Tri-
Tri-anti-wonti-
Triantiwontigongolope.


It trembles if you tickle it or tread upon its toes;
It is not an early riser, but it has a snubbish nose.
If you snear at it, or scold it, it will scuttle off in shame,
But it purrs and purrs quite proudly if you call it by its name,
And offer it some sandwiches of sealing-wax and soap.
So try:
Tri-
Tri-anti-wonti-
Triantiwontigongolope .


But of course you haven't seen it; and I truthfully confess,
That I haven't seen it either, and I don't know its address.
For there isn't such an insect, though there really might have been,
If the trees and grass were purple, and the sky was bottle green.
It's just a little joke of mine, which you'll forgive, I hope.
Oh, try!
Tri-
Tri-anti-wonti-
Triantiwontigongolope.

Comments

[baggers.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, Pen, I loved that poem as a kid!

[mandysbitch.livejournal.com]

AH ha ha! How gorgeous. I think we all learned that one. My sister's class learned The Sentimental Bloke - so I learned it as well because my sister was reciting it all over the house. I swear, I could still reel off a verse or two of that poem... *g*