Read "The Proud Poet" by Joyce Kilmer online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
(For Shaemas O'Sheel)
One winter night a Devil came and sat upon my bed, / His eyes were full of laughter for his heart was full of crime. / "Why don't you take up fancy work, or embroidery? " he said, / "For a needle is as manly a tool as a pen that makes a rhyme! " / "You little ugly Devil," said I, "go back to Hell, / For the idea you express I will not listen to: / I have trouble enough with poetry and poverty as well, / Without having to pay attention to orators like you.