English poem
THOUGHTS THOUGHT WHILST THINKIN’ OF PEARY ON A HOT SUMMER DAY
by Nixon Waterman (1859–1944)
O Peary! With the scorchin' summer here And everybody payin' double price For little weeny, teeny bits of ice, It dost no longer seem so very queer That thou shouldst have the bravery to steer Thy ship up North where it is cool and nice. I'll bet you smile whilst thinkin' thou hast twice The fun we're havin' at this time of year.
And, say! old boy, since thou dost understand The pole is an imaginary spot, Why not "imagine" thou hast found it and Of time and trouble save an awful lot? Couldst others track thee to that frozen land And prove thou didst not find it? I guess not!