Poetry Friday--A Book of Fireside Poems

One of the older books on my shelf is A Book of Fireside Poems, compiled and edited by William R. Bowlin, Albert Whitman & Co., 1937. I love flipping through its pages because the variety of poems is wide. Mr. Bowlin sneaks in a lot of commentary and a little bit of naughtiness and humor, too! Here are a few examples of the latter:

How Very Modern
by Thomas Moore (1779-1853)

"Come, come," said Tom's father, "at your time of life,
   There's no longer excuse for thus playing the rake--
It is time you should think, boy, of taking a wife."
   "Why, so it is father--whose wife shall I take?"


A Dollar Down
by Anonymous

I bought a dress
On the instalment plan;
The reason, of course,
To please a man.
The dress is worn,
The man is gone;
But the blamed instalments
Go on and on.


A Large Edition
by Anonymous

"May I print a kiss on your lips?" I asked;
   She nodded her sweet permission;
So we went to press, and I rather guess
   We printed a large edition.

As much as I enjoy A Book of Fireside Poems, it is a product of its time--racism and sexism run throughout--some of it is downright cringe-worthy.


Today's Poetry Friday Round-Up is being hosted by the multi-talented Robyn Hood Black.