Who are these blokes with bulging brows
I see all o’er the shop?
The layman asked. “Them’s scientists,”
Replied the courteous cop.
“They are the country’s biggest brains;
There’s nothing they don’t know –
The ways of stars, the eight of suns,
And why the winds do blow.”
“Then think you they could cure this cold
That leaves me leaden-eyed?”
“Well — no; they ain’t quite up to that,”
The constable replied.
“But they could take a man apart
And sew him up again
As good as new; they know how trees
Grow from a tiny grain.
And they can harness wireless waves
And make hem do their will,
Or split an atom bang in two,
Or cleave a mighty hill.”
“But could they make this north wind change
A point to east or west?”
“Well, no,” the cop replied; “not yet.
That’s far too stiff a test,
“But they can cause electric eyes
To shut and open doors,
Or answer telephones, or guide
A great ship from the shores.
Their ‘ographies’ and ‘ologies’
And wonders that they plan,
To shove ahead this human race
Do fair amaze a man.
Why they’ll have television soon,
Or so I’ve heard or read.”
“And will that make man happier?”
The simple layman said.
“Tho’ most amazing, as you say,
The things they do and know,
They cannot make the rain to fall
Or cause the breeze to blow.
They cannot build one blade of grass,
Or read a flapper’s mind;
That collar stud I dropped this morn
I’ll swear they could not find!… “
“Move on, there!” cried the constable
These ain’t things for a joke.
Upon my word, I never see
So iggnerint a bloke!”
(C J Dennis)
More Poetry from C J Dennis:
C J Dennis Poems based on Topics: Man, Mind, Jokes & Humor, Planning, Countries, Brain, Science, Telephones, Matter- Book Contents: Moods Of Ginger Mick (C J Dennis Poems)
- The Rhymes of Sym (C J Dennis Poems)
- The Kid (C J Dennis Poems)
- The Battle Of The Wazzir (C J Dennis Poems)
- Termarter Sorce (C J Dennis Poems)
- Rabbits (C J Dennis Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Mind Poems, Brain Poems, Countries Poems, Planning Poems, Jokes & Humor Poems, Science Poems, Telephones Poems, Matter PoemsBased on Keywords: wireless, constable, them, stud, television, layman, flapper, leaden-eyed, ologies