Dear Madam: We Know That You Will Want to Contribute ...by Phyllis McGinley (1905-1978)Christmas is coming, The geese are getting fat. Please to put a penny in an old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do, If you haven't got a ha'penny, God help you! Please to put a nickel, Please to put a dime. How petitions trickle In at Christmas time! Come and Save a Scholar. Bring the heathen hope. Just enclose a dollar Within the envelope. Send along a tenner, Anyhow a five, And let the Friends of Poetry inaugurate their drive. Share your weekly ration With miners up in Nome. Give a small donation To build a Starlings' Home. Please to send a shillin' For lawyers in the lurch. Drop a pretty bill in The offering at church. Remember all the orphans, Recall the boys at camps, And decorate your letter with illuminated stamps. The Common Colds Committee Implores you to assist. They're canvassing the city, They've got you on their list. Demonstrate your mettle For half a hundred causes. Fill the yawning kettle Of the corner Santa Clauses. Give for holy Charity Wherever she appears. And don't forget the Firemen and the Southern Mountaineers. Christmas is coming, The mail is getting fat. Please to put a penny in every proffered hat. If you haven't got a penny, a ha'pence let it be. If you haven't got a ha'pence left, you're just like me.
Christmas Poems
|