Death Of A Cockroach Poem by Robert William Service
Death Of A Cockroach
I opened wide the bath-room door,
And all at once switched on the light,
When moving swift across the floor
I saw a streak of ebon bright:
Then quick, with slipper in my hand,
Before it could escape,--I slammed.
I missed it once, I missed it twice,
But got it ere it gained its lair.
I fear my words were far from nice,
Though d----s with me are rather rare:
Then lo! I thought that dying roach
Regarded me with some reproach.
Said I: "Don't think I grudge you breath;
I hate to spill your greenish gore,
But why did you invite your death
By straying on my bath-room floor?"
"It is because," said he (or she),
"Adventure is my destiny.
"By evolution I was planned,
And marvellously made as you;
And I am led to understand
The selfsame God conceived us two:
Sire, though the coup de grâce you give,
Even a roach has right to live."
Said I: "Of course you have a right,--
But not to blot my bath-room floor.
Yet though with slipper I may smite,
Your doom I morally deplore . . .
From cellar gloom to stellar space
Let bards and beetles have their place.
I love Robert William Service, he never disappoints with his philosophical views of life and the world
From cellar gloom to stellar space Let bards and beetles have their place Well how is this peaceful co-existence possible is the big question. Thought-provoking poem.
It is a part of cleaning. Sorry to say this. God also does the same with us. The poet leaves it to our own judgment.
Very true, every creature has a right to live yet when they encroach our space (so called we own it and do not want others to come near/ live) we kill them for this very silly reason. Excellent Poem.
Yet though with slipper I may smite, Your doom I morally deplore... From cellar gloom to stellar space Let bards and beetles have their place. wow kinda makes the death of a cockroach cosmic, best cockroach poem I have ever read :)
Very realistic and experience of all. Optly brought down as a poem.
What drivel! As if you could write a poem about such a revolting, dirty creature. M. Walker.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/6/2024 9:21:08 AM # 1.0.0.1119
A lovely narrative piece, well articulated and penned with conviction.