Poem of the Day: ‘Disobedience’

A.A. Milne (1882–1956) hardly needs an introduction. “Winnie the Pooh” is so well known it may have worn out its welcome. But his 1924 collection of children’s poems, “When We Were Very Young,” remains a classic, and the best of the poems in it may well be “Disobedience.” The first joke of Milne’s poem, delightful for children, is that it is the mother who disobeys her child. The second joke, for adults knowledgeable about poetry, is that the lines are recreations, with stresses, of Latin hexameter in spondees (– –) and dactyls (– u u).Disobedienceby A.A. MilneJames James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree Took great Care of his Mother, Though he was only three. James James Said to his Mother, “Mother,” he said, said he; “You must never go down to the end of the town, if you don’t go down with me.” James James Morrison’s Mother Put on a golden gown. James James Morrison’s Mother Drove to the end of the town. James James Morrison’s Mother Said to herself, said she: “I can get right down to the end of the town and be back in time for tea.” King John Put up a notice, “LOST or STOLEN or STRAYED! JAMES JAMES MORRISON’S MOTHER SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MISLAID. LAST SEEN WANDERING VAGUELY: QUITE OF HER OWN ACCORD, SHE TRIED TO GET DOWN TO THE END OF THE TOWN – FORTY SHILLINGS REWARD!” James James Morrison Morrison (Commonly known as Jim) Told his Other relations Not to go blaming him. James James Said to his Mother, “Mother,” he said, said he: “You must never go down to the end of the town without consulting me.” James James Morrison’s mother Hasn’t been heard of since. King John said he was sorry, So did the Queen and Prince. King John (Somebody told me) Said to a man he knew: “If people go down to the end of the town, well, what can anyone do?” (Now then, very softly) J.J. M.M. W.G.Du P. Took great C/O his M***** Though he was only 3. J.J. said to his M***** “M*****,” he said, said he: “You-must-never-go-down-to-the-end-of-the-town- if-you-don’t-go-down-with-ME!”___________________________________________ With “Poem of the Day,” The New York Sun offers a daily portion of verse selected by Joseph Bottum with the help of the North Carolina poet Sally Thomas, the Sun’s associate poetry editor. Tied to the day, or the season, or just individual taste, the poems will be typically drawn from the lesser-known portion of the history of English verse. In the coming months we will be reaching out to contemporary poets for examples of current, primarily formalist work, to show that poetry can still serve as a delight to the ear, an instruction to the mind, and a tonic for the soul.

Poem of the Day: ‘Disobedience’

More from the New York Sun

Israel Approves Death Penalty for Palestinians Convicted of Deadly Attacks

Despite Complicated Legacy, Tiger Woods’s Brand Continues To Survive Personal Drama

Anger at Senate GOP Reaches Fever Pitch With No DHS Deal in Sight, SAVE America Act Debate Stalled

Massie Raises More Than $300,000 During Marathon Livestream Fundraiser Featuring Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ron Paul

Amid March Madness Betting Surge, Fed Study Warns of Rising Loan Delinquency Rates

As Midterms Loom, Gladiatorial Politics Substitutes for Governing

AI-Generated Crooner Accounts for Three of Top Five Songs on iTunes

Contender Backed by My Pillow Founder Faces Establishment Candidate in Arkansas Republican Runoff