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Poem
December 26, 1926
Douglas Daily Dispatch
Douglas, Cochise County, Arizona
What is this article about?
Humorous satirical poem contrasting the perilous excitement of tropical exploration—facing pythons, gorillas, lions, and more—with the safe, dull life at home, ultimately preferring safety over adventure.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
More Truth Than Poetry
By James J. Montague
TOPICS AND TROPICS.
When through the towering tropic trees
The sun's last rays are slanting,
It must be nice to sit at ease
And hear the python panting.
It must be fine, when far and near
The tropic rain is pouring
To lie inside a tent and hear
The great gorilla roaring.
One chafes with idleness at home,
Whereas the daring rangers
Who never hesitate to roam
Amid the awful dangers
Of lions, panthers, snakes and worse,
Which populate the tropics,
Can always charmingly converse
On interesting topics.
Afar from cities, mills and marts-
The life that you and I know-
They've dodged the pygmy's poisoned darts
And faced the raging rhino,
They've shooed the deadly tsetse fly,
They've taken dreadful chances
With husky hippopotami
And furtive fer-de-lances.
We have not known the serpent's hug
Nor felt the lion biting.
Our conversation is but smug
And tame and unexciting,
Yet still somehow we do not chafe
For perils to go questing,
We think it's wiser to be safe.
Although uninteresting.
By James J. Montague
TOPICS AND TROPICS.
When through the towering tropic trees
The sun's last rays are slanting,
It must be nice to sit at ease
And hear the python panting.
It must be fine, when far and near
The tropic rain is pouring
To lie inside a tent and hear
The great gorilla roaring.
One chafes with idleness at home,
Whereas the daring rangers
Who never hesitate to roam
Amid the awful dangers
Of lions, panthers, snakes and worse,
Which populate the tropics,
Can always charmingly converse
On interesting topics.
Afar from cities, mills and marts-
The life that you and I know-
They've dodged the pygmy's poisoned darts
And faced the raging rhino,
They've shooed the deadly tsetse fly,
They've taken dreadful chances
With husky hippopotami
And furtive fer-de-lances.
We have not known the serpent's hug
Nor felt the lion biting.
Our conversation is but smug
And tame and unexciting,
Yet still somehow we do not chafe
For perils to go questing,
We think it's wiser to be safe.
Although uninteresting.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Tropics
Adventure
Explorers
Dangers
Safety
Idleness
Satire
What entities or persons were involved?
By James J. Montague
Poem Details
Title
More Truth Than Poetry
Author
By James J. Montague
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
When Through The Towering Tropic Trees
The Sun's Last Rays Are Slanting,
It Must Be Nice To Sit At Ease
And Hear The Python Panting.
We Have Not Known The Serpent's Hug
Nor Felt The Lion Biting.
Our Conversation Is But Smug
And Tame And Unexciting,