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Poetry Time - A. E. Housman

Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuffs on his wrists?
And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists?
And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air?
Oh they're taking him to prison for the colour of his hair.

'Tis a shame to human nature, such a head of hair as his;
In the good old time 'twas hanging for the colour that it is;
Though hanging isn't bad enough and flaying would be fair
For the nameless and abominable colour of his hair.

Oh a deal of pains he's taken and a pretty price he's paid
To hide his poll or dye it of a mentionable shade;
But they've pulled the beggar's hat off for the world to see and stare,
And they're haling him to justice for the colour of his hair.

Now 'tis oakum for his fingers and the treadmill for his feet
And the quarry-gang on Portland in the cold and in the heat,
And between his spells of labour in the time he has to spare
He can curse the God that made him for the colour of his hair.

Comments

Iras Malis Amtephrah Sokatsudo said…
... So what you're saying is they're making you dye your hair for your show now? Along with chopping it all off (which makes you look like a jerk, a mean jerk, a jerky jerk, the jerkiest jerk of all)?

:P

Although, in accordance to the poem, it is rather silly what people will take offense to; hair color, skin color, mode of dress, taste in music, ethnicity, gender, etcetera, etcetera... vah! I'm beginning to doubt the adjective in the term "homo sapiens"...

... well, not that I've ever really believed it...
10/29/2006 3:48 AM
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