Saturday, October 23, 2010

Etude Geographique by Stoddard King


Found this awesome old piece in an old copy of Stoddard King's book What The Queen Said & Further Facetious Fragments. Someone tucked a newspaper clipping inside the book from the Spokesman Review, dated Sunday, January 3, 1965. The article features the author, and reproduces the full text of the poem:

__________________________

Out West, they say, a man's a man; the legend still persists

That he is handy with a gun and careless with his fists.

The fact is, though, you may no hear a stronger word than "Gosh!"

From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Walla Walla, Wash.


In western towns 'tis many years since it was the last rage

For men to earn their daily bread by hoding up a stage,

Yet story writers sti ascribe such wild and woolly bosh

To Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Walla Walla, Wash.


The gents who roam the West today are manicured and meek,

They shave their features, daily and they bathe three times a week.

They tote the tame umbrella and they wear the mild galosh.

From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Walla Walla, Wash.


But though the West has frowned upon its old nefarious games,

It sti embellishes the map with sweet, melodious names,

Which grow is lush profusion like the apple and the squash

From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Walla Walla, Wash.