Ida Chicken Poem by Edgar Lee Masters

Ida Chicken

Rating: 2.7


After I had attended lectures
At our Chautauqua, and studied French
For twenty years, committing the grammar
Almost by heart,
I thought I'd take a trip to Paris
To give my culture a final polish.
So I went to Peoria for a passport --
(Thomas Rhodes was on the train that morning.)
And there the clerk of the district Court
Made me swear to support and defend
The constitution -- yes, even me --
Who couldn't defend or support it at all!
And what do you think? That very morning
The Federal Judge, in the very next room
To the room where I took the oath,
Decided the constitution
Exempted Rhodes from paying taxes
For the water works of Spoon River!

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Tiki Batts 13 August 2008

Was Thomas Rhodes an icon in the judicial system at this time? Why was he exempt from paying taxes?

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Edgar Lee Masters

Edgar Lee Masters

Kansas / United States
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