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Title: When It Is Hot
Author: Bert Leston Taylor [
More Titles by Taylor]
"And Nebuchadnezzar commanded the most mighty
men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning
fiery furnace."
Consider Mr. Shadrach,
Of fiery furnace fame:
He didn't bleat about the heat
Or fuss about the flame.
He didn't stew and worry,
And get his nerves in kinks,
Nor fill his skin with limes and gin
And other "cooling drinks."
Consider Mr. Meshach,
Who felt the furnace too:
He let it sizz nor queried "Is
It hot enough for you?"
He didn't mop his forehead,
And hunt a shady spot;
Nor did he say, "Gee! what a day!
Believe me, it's some hot."
Consider, too, Abed-nego,
Who shared his comrades' plight:
He didn't shake his coat and make
Himself a holy sight.
He didn't wear suspenders
Without a coat and vest;
Nor did he scowl and snort and howl,
And make himself a pest.
Consider, friends, this trio--
How little fuss they made.
They didn't curse when it was worse
Than ninety in the shade.
They moved about serenely
Within the furnace bright,
And soon forgot that it was hot,
With "no relief in sight."
[The end]
Bert Leston Taylor's poem: When It Is Hot
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