Page 84 - Poetry-Books

The traveler on his lettered way;
That obstacles, in stern array,
Beset the road, his feet to trip,
And editors—fond hope to slay—
Send answer in a printed slip.
Refusal slips, both large and small,
Whispering an editorial nay,
Haunt me at night like specters tall,
Reminders of returning day.
Now as I write I hope and pray,
When to the mart these lines I ship,
Accepting them without delay,
They’ll answer in a printed slip.

ENVOI.
Dear Princess, for proposals pay
No sweet reply, by word of lip,
But send, as promptly as you may,
Your answer in a printed slip.

— John Albert Macy (Century Magazine, 1896)

Unappreciated Promptness

TO AN EDITOR.

My writings you return so fast
I’ve always had a dread
That you remailed them, first and last,
Before they had been read.

Last winter you grew quicker still;
I fancied this must mean
You sent them back, with wondrous skill,
Unopened and unseen.

This spring they all come borne so quick
I almost think it true
You start them toward me, by some trick,
Before they get to you.

~ 82 ~