The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-04-22
Specimens Of Spring Poetry.

1t goes without saying that since critics
as class are people who have failed in
whatever they attempt to criticise, am a
pOetcal critic. As a consequence l am fire.
quently requested to pass an opinion on
various specimens Of poetry, SO called. Just
now the run is on spring poetry as usual.
There was congress of poets in my Office
few evenings ago and give the readers of
THE TIMES few specimens of different
styles in poetry, and also word of what
happened.
pant in his boot top, proposed to read for
my benefit short article on
SPRING.
From the south land comes the swallows,
From the land of orange blossoms,
From the land of sweet potatoes,
Land of plenty and of paupers
Lazy land OF liquid sunshine,
Land OF liquid moonshine also;
MoonShine that can knock the resin
From the tallest pitchy pine tree.
Blythe he comes with chir'p and twitter
And the winsome little critter-
"Thats enough" said l. "Your poem is
on spring and you have only got one swal
low towards it and everybody knows that
one swallow never makes spring."
Next we have to present middle-aged
lady who said that 'years did not dim nor
time efface" her love of spring and conse-
quently she had poured forth her soul in
song, which was very different effusiOn
from the ordinary twO-for-a-nickel poem on
SPRING.
In the wild uncertain certain
OF cold and ashy curtain
Flung by wintry breeZes DER us,
Comes the cheerful, thoughtful thinking
That the birds will soon be blinking
AS they sing in happy chorus;
Happy birds and quite sonorous.
"Hold on" said |. "You run a-muck on
language and haven't got in single word
about the subject matter under considera-
tion."
We next introduce housewife of the
poetical persuasion who will now present
business poem on
SPRING.
The unlovable, measley days have come,
Indeedy they have, they have,
When boiler and scrubbing brush, dustpan and
broom,
Are on the warpath like a brave.
And we cannot avoid them, we can't we can't,
No matter how much we sue,
And the men torment us, and rant and rant,
Indeedy they do, they do.
"Stop there" said |. That's business
pertaining somewhat to the subject but we
want something more direct if you please,
and will therefore introduce gentleman
poet farmer who has something on
SPRING.
The mellow earth the willing plow upturns
Beseeching softest sunshine II you please,
While many vicious bug the shear inurns
And cuts their thread of life with perfect ease
The crow in mid air scans the field for corn,
And comely blackbirds follow up the plow,
To taunt the hired man who waits the horn
That tells him he has done enough for now.
THAT is wonderfully true picture"
said l, 'but you see there Is no elasticity
about it, so we will excuse you and bring
out learned literary gentleman who has
condescended to write little trifle on
SPRING.
Ponderous worlds are all about us,
Into space their legions all
Marshall hosts that soon may rout us
From this tiny little ball
Then with all It's pomp and splendor
Earth will go in speedy flight
And n comets tail will send her
Higher than Guilderoy's kite.
Enough of that" said |. "You are way
off and won't get back before harvest"
Turn we now TO a sweet girl graduate
who says that she knows that everybody
writes about spring and mess of worthless
trash il IS too, but she has delicate little
lovelet that perhaps would please. 1t is en-
titled
SPRING.
Oh the beautious balmy sunshine
With its rays so irridescent
Coming like cleaning gold mine.
Oh! so lovely, oh so pleasant,
Gorgeous sunshine how love you,
Love to basll in your embrace,
l. I'VE To get around about you,
80 you can't shine in my face.
"That will do, my dear" said /. "YOu
will require altogether too much space tC
ever get you within reaching distance OF
your subject, so we will bring out a phlos'
opher who has something rythmical respect
ing
| SPRING.
| The man who treads upon this earthly clod
| And owns not natures gift from natures God,
| Is deemed unworthy of right to breathe
| E'en the fresh air which heaven bequeathes
| To mortals here below, which sometimes drops
To unroof his dwellings and destroy his crops.
"Halt," said l. ''Step one side and lug tn