Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.

The Conscientious Deacon

Vachel Lindsay

BLACK cats, grey cats, green cats miau—

Chasing the deacon who stole the cow.

He runs and tumbles, he tumbles and runs.

He sees big white men with dogs and guns.

He falls down flat. He turns to stare—

No cats, no dogs, and no men there.

But black shadows, grey shadows, green shadows come.

The wind says, “Miau!” and the rain says, “Hum!”

He goes straight home. He dreams all night.

He howls. He puts his wife in a fright.

Black devils, grey devils, green devils shine—

Yes, by Sambo,

And the fire looks fine!

Cat devils, dog devils, cow devils grin—

Yes, by Sambo,

And the fire rolls in.

And so, next day, to avoid the worst—

He takes that cow

Where he found her first.