Friday, September 3, 2010

A poem for the day

Please join us for tea as we ponder some poetry.

Ahmmmm...

The Duel
By Eugene Field

The gingham dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat;
"Twas half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)
Nor one nor t' other had slept a wink!
     The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
     Appeared to know as sure as fate
There was going to be a terrible spat.
(I wasn't there; I simply state 
What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)

The gingham dog went "bow-wow-wow!"
And the calico cat replied "mee-ow!"
The air was littered, an hour or so,
With bits of gingham and calico,
     While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place
     Up with its hands before its face,
For it always dreaded a family row!
(Never mind:  I'm only telling you
What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue,
And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do!"
But the gingham dog and the calico cat
Wallowed this way and tumbled that,
     Employing every tooth and claw
     In the awfullest way you ever saw --
And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!
(Don't fancy I exaggerate --
I got my news from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning where the two had sat
They found no trace of dog or cat;
And some folk think unto this day
That burglars stole that pair away!
     But the truth about the cat and pup
     Is this: they ate each other up!
Now what do you really think of that!
(The old Dutch clock it told me so,
And that is how I came to know.)



Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!



2 comments:

Vicki said...

Hi, Valerie,
One of my favorite poems. As a little girl, my mom would always read to me at "nap time", and this poem was one she read to me. I will never forget it. She must have had a book of poetry because I also remember her reading "The Owl and the Pussycat" and "Wynken, Blynken and Nod". Thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories and also for the beautiful tea. Happy September, my friend~Vicki

Cheryll said...

OHHHHH Val! What a wonderful tea time I had! TFS the poem.