Death Of A Cockroach Poem by Robert William Service

Death Of A Cockroach

Rating: 3.1


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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Terry Craddock 25 April 2015

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 :)

7 1 Reply
Michael Walker 25 April 2015

What drivel! As if you could write a poem about such a revolting, dirty creature. M. Walker.

2 4 Reply
Shylendra K S 25 April 2015

Very realistic and experience of all. Optly brought down as a poem.

2 1 Reply
Chinedu Dike 25 April 2015

A lovely narrative piece, well articulated and penned with conviction.

2 0 Reply
Kim Barney 25 April 2015

One of my favorite poets showing his great sense of humor.

1 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 09 September 2024

ADDITION: Excellent poem, very fascinating! Thank you for sharing this Modern Poem Of The Day!

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 09 September 2024

FINAL: the poem confronts themes of life, death, and the value of existence. TOP Marks (5 Stars)

1 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 09 September 2024

This poem explores the complex relationship between humans and creatures often deemed as insignificant or repulsive. Through the speaker's encounter with a cockroach in their bathroom,

1 0 Reply
Kesav Venkat Easwaran 11 September 2023

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.

0 0 Reply
M. Asim Nehal 11 September 2023

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.

0 0 Reply
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