The Pessimist (other Verses) by Harry Graham

This collection of poems explores themes of despair, hopelessness, and the darker aspects of human nature. The tone is often bleak and satirical, with a focus on the absurdities and cruelties of life. The poems frequently employ irony and sarcasm to critique societal norms and conventions.

By Harry Graham · First published 1905 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Dark Comedy · 255 words

First lines

(_After Maeterlinck_)

Life's bed is full of crumbs and rice, / No roses float on my lagoon; / There are no fingers, white and nice, / To rub my head with scented ice, / Or feed me with a spoon.

I think of all the days gone by, / Replete with black and blue regret; / No comets light my glaucous sky, / My tears are hardly ever dry, / I never can forget!

I see the yellow dog, Desire, / That strains against the lead of Hope, / With lilac eyes and lips of fire, / As all in vain he strives to tire / The hand that holds the rope.

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What this Textopian page supports

The Pessimist (other Verses) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Harry Graham, dated 1905 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Poem
• Author: Harry Graham
• Date: 1905 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Poetry, Satire, Dark Comedy, Philosophical, Parody
• Length: 255 words
• Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Pessimist (other Verses) by Harry Graham
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Similar titles

• Aftword Other Verses by Harry Graham
• Postlude by Harry Graham
• Envoi by Harry Graham
• Plagues At The Play Rhymes For The Times by Harry Graham
• Comic Lines by Thomas Gray
• A Touch Of Realism by Hector Hugh Munro

Genres

• Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
• Satire — The tone and style suggest a satirical approach, using humor and irony to critique pessimism and existential themes.
• Dark Comedy — The juxtaposition of morose themes with a humorous tone aligns with dark comedy.
• Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions and the nature of life and death, common in philosophical literature.

Tags

Satire · Dark Humor · Poetry Collection · British Literature · Edwardian Era · Pessimism · Social Commentary · Wit · Irony · Cynicism · Absurdity · Morbid Humor

More by Harry Graham

• More Misrepresentative Men (1905)
• What's in a Name? (1927)
• Nobody's Darling! (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
• Roses all the Way (Rhymes for the Times) (1925)
• The Triumph of Jam (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
• Egregious Eastbourne (Rhymes for the Times) (1907)
• Sarah Owen (Rhymes for the Times) (1902)
• The Last Horsed 'Bus (Rhymes for the Times) (1925)
• All works by Harry Graham