Reasonable Interest

Ellis Parker Butler

I want to know how Bernard Shaw
Likes beefsteak—fairly done, or raw?
I want to know what kinds of shoes
M. Maeterlinck and Howells use.

I have great curiosity
Regarding George Ade’s new boot tree.
Has Carolyn Wells of late employed
Hairpins of wire or celluliod?

What kind of soap does London like?
Does Robert Chambers ever “hike”?
Or did he ever? Or, if not,
Does he like cabbage, cheese, or what?

I want to know the size of gloves
Oppenheim wears, and if he loves
Olives, and how his clothes are made.
What does he eat? How is he paid?

All sorts of things I want to learn,
That are not of the least concern
To any one. For, Oh! and Oh!
I want to know! I WANT TO KNOW!

I want to know, and know I will—
The printing press is never still,
For me it prints such facts as these!
I am the Public, if you please!

Next 10 Poems

• Ellis Parker Butler : Ridden Down
• Ellis Parker Butler : Says Mister Doojabs
• Ellis Parker Butler : Song For Heroes
• Ellis Parker Butler : Speaking Of Operations
• Ellis Parker Butler : The Ballad Of A Bachelor
• Ellis Parker Butler : The Ballade Of The Automobile
• Ellis Parker Butler : The Ballade Of The Mistletoe Bough
• Ellis Parker Butler : The Charge Of The Second Iowa Cavalry
• Ellis Parker Butler : The Cut Finger
• Ellis Parker Butler : The Daughter Of The Year

Previous 10 Poems

• Ellis Parker Butler : Partners
• Ellis Parker Butler : Outbid
• Ellis Parker Butler : October
• Ellis Parker Butler : No Beer, No Work
• Ellis Parker Butler : Night In The City
• Ellis Parker Butler : Mouths Of Hippopotami And Some Recent Novels
• Ellis Parker Butler : Millennium
• Ellis Parker Butler : Merry Christmas And Happy New Year!
• Ellis Parker Butler : Maude's Valentine
• Ellis Parker Butler : Mary Had A Little Frog