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What’s your wads worth?
In the past lived a man named Henry
Who would write poems now and again, see
He was a man of high birth
Who knew of his worth
But what we know now they didn't know then, see
Henry was quite a strong fellow
But there was something wrong with him..Hello!
In bed with the women, he couldn't last
He always would finish too fast
Ladies would say ''He's the one who don't last long' fellow'
Henry realized he was odd
Too soon was he shooting his wad
He thought 'I'm a man of high birth
My wad, it should be of some worth'
Sold his house, and moved to Cape Cod
Met a woman who said 'Hey, why not sir?
I'm telling you I think you're hot, sir
Tell me so I know
Why you want me to go?
Just dropped by to say 'Hi' uh, what the..?'
And that my friends is where the story ends
The story of Henry the poet
Wouldn't you know it?
Those words that woman said to him
Must've meant a lot to him
Especially the last four
He wrote a poem about it
Which became quite famous
But nobody should blame us
You don't hear that poem any more..
Funny enough, I'm working
Funny enough, I'm working with one of my students on the dismantling and relocating of the Senaca in 18th and 19th century New York State. One piece of poetry we've looked at over the course of this series of lessons and discussions was Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha", as well as a painting inspired by it (and gifted to H.W.L.) and critiques of the poem series - including analysis of his prejudiced perceptions.
Are you taking me for a Ride?..
Are you taking me for a Ride?
I am apPauled by your remarks
Let me make one thing very clear
Longfellow is a poet we should Revere!
Thanks for your comment.
Great to hear from you!
You're welcome and
..not taking you for ride. Especially not with Paul. He got captured pretty early in that venture (he only got about 3 miles into his ride!). Nor with the other really famous Paul, who apparently was killed in a car crash, or so I've heard is revealed if you listen to Helter Skelter backwards ; ) Don't want to ride with Paul's, apparently.
The poem series has it's share of beautiful features and redeeming qualities, but also passes on certain prejudices about Native Americans, including ideas about savagery and their removal being a necessity for civilizatioin's future. It carries importance, if nothing else, for helping us to have a better view into how "society" at the time viewed the history and plight of Native Americans (especially since Longfellow's piece was a huge hit that rose him to stardom). It didn't also inspire what I think is one of the more emotion and thought provoking paintings of the 19th century - Departure of Hiawatha.
I won’t worry about Paul..
I won't worry about Paul, I take heart, see
He can ride with me in my Go-Kart, see?
Yes, me and Paul in my kart, whee!
One of the reasons I enjoy this site is because of the opportunity to make the acquaintance of people like you. Your comments have piqued my curiosity about Mr Longfellow and his poetry, reactions to it, etc. Something I have very limited knowledge of. I'm looking forward to learning something new, always a good thing imo. Thank you for commenting.
Thank you, I appreciate that,
Thank you, I appreciate that, and I'm with you. It's good to share these exchanges, and I think we're largely pretty lucky to have a unique variety of fellow poets here. We make a good community, I think : )