Memorize This Poem

“It’s time again,” the teacher said,

“To memorize a poem!”

“One week to get them in your head,

Then come and show you know ’em!”

All through the week I tried and tried

To find a verse worth knowing,

And by the end my brain was fried

With poems overflowing!

So Monday, when it came my turn

To serenade the class,

I tried to show that I could learn,

And here’s what came to pass.

Ahem...

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

The darling buds of May,

A stately pleasure dome decree,

Callooh! Callooh! Callay!

How do I love thee?  Let me count!

And Juliet is the sun!

I pondered, weak and weary,

O, Our fearful trip is done!

It is an ancient mariner,

Thou still unravished bride,

Whose woods these are, I think I know--

Land of the pilgrim’s pride!

A host of golden daffodils,

The dying of the light.

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,

And I say it’s all right.”

The other students in the room,

Well, mostly they ignored.

The teacher, quiet as a tomb,

Looked slack-jawed, stunned, and floored.

She gave me a B-minus,

Then she told me to sit down.

She slowly rubbed her sinus,

With a furrowed little frown.

The next time that we memorize,

I won’t attempt them all,

I’ll just be wise and compromise

And check the bathroom wall!