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I Can’t Unsheathe My Sword, But I Promise You Won’t Be board

Just an arms reach, from my nose
Is the distance my DNA goes
The fertile ground within my reach
To me an unspoiled pristine beach
If you’re familiar, in an intimate style
I beseech you, walk my miracle mile
Though I have no bullets for my gun
I still have a saliva rich tongue
And if you care to match my wit
I’ll gladly drench you in my spit




Author notes

W.H Auden
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/53081-W-H-Auden-I-Have-No-Gun-But-I-Can-Spit

I Have No Gun,But I Can Spit

Some thirty inches from my nose
The frontier of my Person goes,
And all the untilled air between
Is private pagus or demesne.
Stranger, unless with bedroom eyes
I beckon you to fraternize,
Beware of rudely crossing it:
I have no gun, but I can spit.

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Comments

1 - 12 of 12

  • LadyRay
    November 11, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    nicely done

    it caught my interest and stuck well


  • G-y-p-o
    September 3, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    The begginings fine, but what happened towards the end? 'Though I have no bullets for my gun
    I still have a saliva rich tongue
    And if you care to match my wit
    I’ll gladly drench you in my spitend?'

    Its ok but maybe you can inform me on what is meant by the ending. Otherwise a great write!


  • skitza
    September 3, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Sort of a bit lost on me, this one. But good rhyming anyway. And thought provoking.
    'Just an arms reach, from my nose
    Is the distance my DNA goes
    The fertile ground within my reach
    To me an unspoiled pristine beach'
    I liked the beginning bit best. Shame about the background!

    Thanks for entering.
    skitza


  • Edna Sweetlove
    August 20, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I don't think WH Auden would have confused whit and wit - having said this it's quite an effective parody of a poem I have never heard of by a writer I dislike intensely after having had some of his pieces pushed down my throat at school.


  • Lyndon gold member
    April 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    This is a parallel poem

    strictly, rather than a parody.
    Both poems are crudely about private space. Both wish to stun to make their point.
    Thank you for your entry.
    Lyndon of the Winklings.


  • cricketjeff gold member
    April 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    One of Auden's must fun poems, an interesting take on it.

  • Judith Chandler
    March 21, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Love the original and love your version of it. You have modernized it with your mention of DNA. Auden would have found that interesting. Your piece and the Auden piece certainly do have the same flavour.

    I'm enjoying reading some Auden that I'd never come across before.

    jjj


  • Terry-too silver member
    March 15, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I think I sent off my reply prematurely, for Auden's poem included spitting too, both remarkably anti-social!
    Enjoyed!


  • Terry-too silver member
    March 15, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    For comparison's sake it would have been nice to see both poems. I am sure the original would not have been like this!


  • just rob gold member
    March 11, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Big Fun!

    I really enjoyed reading both of them. Best of luck.

  • ecrivain01
    March 10, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    It would be helpful ...

    if you could post the link to the poem by W.H. Auden.

    Thanks.

1 - 12 of 12