Human Nature by Eugene Field - Poetry: The Best Words in the Best Order - #BlogchatterA2ZChallenge2021

 Human Nature

Eugene Field

                                                                             www.pinterest.co.kr

A beggar-man crept to my side

One bitter, wintry time;

"I want to buy a drink," he cried;

"Please give me, Sir, a dime."

If he had craved this boon forlorn 

To buy his family meat,

I would have passed him by in scorn,

And left him in the street.

I tossed a dollar in his hand,

And quoth, "As o'er your wine

Within the tippling-room you stand

Drink thou to me and mine."

He let an earnest "Thank ye" drop -

Then up the street he sped,

And rushed into a baker's shop,

And bought a loaf of bread!

I know not why it was, and yet,

So sudden was the blow,

I felt emotions of regret

That he had duped me so.

Yet, had the hungry beggar said

That he was sore in need

Of that necessity called "bread",

What man would pay him heed?

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The Poet: Eugene Field (1850 - 1895)

Eugene Field was a poet, popular for his children's poems and humorous essays. For this reason, he was known as the 'poet of childhood'. He also worked in a newspaper, the St. Louis Journal, where his column titled 'Funny Fancies' garnered many chuckles. He was an amazing mimic as well. Next, he moved to Denver to work at the Denver Tribune where he was known to play pranks on unsuspecting visitors. His most loved poem was 'Wynken, Blynken and Nod'. 

                                                                          Goodreads

'Human Nature' talks of how contrary human nature is. On a cold wintry day, the poet was once accosted by a beggar who asked him for a dime to buy a drink. If he had asked him for money to buy meat for his family, the poet might have passed by him scornfully.

The poet tossed him a dime and asked him to drink a toast to him (the poet) and his own. The man thanked him and hurried away onto a baker's shop where he bought himself a loaf of bread instead.

Strange it was that the poet felt a sense of regret at having been duped. Had the man told him that he was in need of bread, a necessity, would any man, including the poet, have heeded him and given him the money?

The poem brings out the simple truth that human nature is so very contrary!  


 This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2ZChallenge2021

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Comments

  1. A very different perspective about human nature, put forward by Eugene Field. Also his introduction left me curious about him. Well check more of his poetic creations. Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece.

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    1. Thank you, Navita. That is what crossed my mind as well when I read this poem. This is the first time I was reading Eugene Field's creations as well.

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  2. Wow! What a ppowerful piece of poetry!

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  3. Wow! What a ppowerful piece of poetry!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, indeed, Meena Chatty! Powerful and thought provoking.

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  4. Human nature is so very contrary! really enjoyed the poem. The dupe was so thought provoking. Thankyou for bringing this forth!

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    Replies
    1. Freshdaisiesdotme, thank you so much for enjoying the poem. Human nature is really contrary!

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  5. This is brilliant. I remember reading an advisory that if you're in trouble, scream fire instead of help because people will run to you when you scream fire.

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    Replies
    1. That is an interesting theory, Suchita! It is possible only because human nature is so contrary! Thank you.

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  6. A simple incident can speak about deep human motives. Of course such things only a poet can see. Nice to know a little more about poet Eugene Field and his poetry.

    ReplyDelete

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