Thursday 20 March 2008

Mystery versifier

Rogue 'poet' on the loose in Downing Street - except, isn't that verse just an updated version of one long since penned about somebody else, by somebody else? My memory fails me, so maybe someone out there can help out with the details...

5 comments:

Kirk Wisebeard said...

Antigonish

Yesterday upon the stair, I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today. Oh how I wish he'd go away .

William Hughes Mearnes 1899


William Hughes Mearns,1875-1965... US educator and poet... creditted with starting the idea of creative writing in education.

Sometimes seen with the following verse included...

When I came home last night at three, the man was waiting there for me, but when I looked around the hall, I couldn't see him there at all. Go away, go away, don't you come back anymore! Go away, go away and please don't slam the door.(Slam!)

hope this helps...

Frances said...

A minister with a sense of humour - who would have thought it...?

Matt Merritt said...

I knew you'd know, Kirk! Thanks very much - knew it sounded familiar.

Kirk Wisebeard said...

the Kirk parsons Reference library strikes again!!

Kirk Wisebeard said...

also, apparently, it was the inspiration (in part at least) for Bowie's "Man who sold the world..."