The Poet and His Gift

by R. P. LISTER

THE beauty of my land, and that of my lady,
Are past belief, sang the poet with genuine fervor.
His character was, however, a trifle shady,
And he died in a pub from the blow of a life-preserver.

This does not detract from the excellence of his gift,
Which the critics all declared was purely lyrical;
But his land and his lady were better off with him biffed,
And that nobody biffed him before is a positive miracle.