Twelve snails went walking after night.
They’d creep an inch or so,
Then stop and bug their eyes
And blow.
Some folks . . . are . . . deadly . . . slow.
Twelve snails went walking yestereve,
Led by their fat old king.
They were so dull their princeling had
No sceptre, robe or ring-
Only a paper cap to wear
When nightly journeying.
This king-snail said: “I feel a thought
Within. . . . It blossoms soon. . . .
O little courtiers of mine, . . .
I crave a pretty boo. . . .
Oh, yes . . . (High thoughts with effort come
And well-bred snails are ALMOST dumb.)
“I wish I had a yellow crown
As glistering . . . as . . . the moon.”
(Vachel Lindsay)
More Poetry from Vachel Lindsay:
Vachel Lindsay Poems based on Topics: Kings & Queens, Night, Mind, Thought & Thinking- Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- An Indian Summer Day on the Prairie (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- A Colloquial Reply: To Any Newsboy (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- The Rose of Midnight (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- The Moon is a Painter (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
- Star of My Heart (Vachel Lindsay Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Night Poems, Mind Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Thought & Thinking PoemsBased on Keywords: bug, snails, glistering, well-bred, boo, courtiers, yestereve, princeling