Poetry Archives

Some poets sing of scenery;
Some to fair maids make sonnets sweet.
A fig for love and greenery,
Be mine a song of things to eat.
Let brother bards divinely dream,
I’m just plain human, as you see;
And choose to carol such a theme
           As ham and eggs and tea.

Just two fried eggs or maybe three,
With lacy rims and sunside up,
Pink coral ham and amber tea
Poured in a big, fat china cup.
I have no crave for finer fare;
That’s just the chuck for chaps like me.
Aye, if I were a millionaire—
           Just ham and eggs and tea.

When of life’s fussiness I tire,
And on my skull I wear a cap,
As tartan-shawled beside the fire
I stroke the kitten on my lap:
Give me no broth and chicken breast;
My last repast shall hearty be . . .
Oh how I’ll sup with chuckling zest
           On ham and eggs and tea!