Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

Washing the Dishes -- Christopher Morley

       
(Poem #833) Washing the Dishes
 When we on simple rations sup
 How easy is the washing up!
 But heavy feeding complicates
 The task by soiling many plates.

 And though I grant that I have prayed
 That we might find a serving-maid,
 I'd scullion all my days I think,
 To see Her smile across the sink!

 I wash, she wipes. In water hot
 I souse each pan and dish and pot;
 While Taffy mutters, purrs, and begs,
 And rubs himself against my legs.

 The man who never in his life
 Has washed the dishes with his wife
 Or polished up the silver plate--
 He still is largely celibate.

 One warning: there is certain ware
 That must be handled with all care:
 The Lord Himself will give you up
 If you should drop a willow cup!
-- Christopher Morley
Notes: From Chimneysmoke (1921)
       souse (v): soak, immerse, steep

A charming little poem, presenting an unexpected perspective on domestic
bliss. The poet's thesis is neatly summed up in the penultimate verse:

       The man who never in his life
       Has washed the dishes with his wife
       Or polished up the silver plate--
       He still is largely celibate.

The last verse is merely an anticlimax, bringing the poem to a gentle
conclusion - the main impact, despite the distraction of a final punchline,
is definitely in the verse before.

Links:

There's an accompanying illustration - see
  [broken link] http://geocities.com/~spanoudi/poems/morley01.html#12

We've run one Morley poem, complete with biography (and don't miss Sunil
Iyengar's comment at the end): poem #553

-martin

76 comments: ( or Leave a comment )

david.collins7 said...

I like this poem but I find his use of the the third person singular in verses two and three a little problematic. After referring to a wish to find a serving maid he then says he wouldn't mind doing the washing up if he could see 'her' smile across the sink. But the 'her' is clearly his wife, previously referred to as 'you' by implication, in the 'we' of 'we might find'. Am I alone in finding this confusing?
Dave Collins

Penis Enlargement Pills said...

The author has written an excellent article. You have made your point and there is not much to argue about. It is like the following universal truth that you can not argue with: No truth is universal, everything has its exception. Thanks for the info

John Edwards said...

Excellent blog.I really likes your blog.It can help any information.
psychic readings

Anonymous said...

bagi anda yang ingin mengetahui apa saja kelebihan android kitkat dapat membaca pada ulasan http://www.spekhargaponsel.com/2014/10/apa-saja-kelebihan-android-kitkat.html yang berisi info kelebihan dari OS android Kitkat. jika anda ingin menghilangkan komedo, anda dapat mengunjungi Baca lebih detail disini atau dapat langsung mengunjungi situs kami di http://situsmedis.blogspot.com/2014/09/cara-menghilangakan-komedo-secara-alami.html dimana terdapat banyak sekali cara menghilangkan komedo. jika anda mencari mesin absensi solution, tidak ada salahnya jika membaca penawaran kami pada hargamesinterbaruku.blogspot.com atau dapat membaca secara lengkap di situs http://hargamesinterbaruku.blogspot.com/2014/09/daftar-harga-mesin-absensi-solution.html yang berisi banyak sekali info harga mesin absensi solution. jika anda mencari contoh ide peluang usaha dapat mengunjungi Read More atau dapat membaca selengkapnya pada http://seribupeluang.blogspot.com/2014/10/contoh-ide-peluang-usaha-modal-5-juta.html yang mana berisi banyak sekali info ide peluang usaha modal 5 juta.

Unknown said...

Furthermore get ready successfully effectively properly secured automobiles with respect to information as well as pc pc computer file.
Packers and Movers in Chennai
Packers and Movers in Delhi
Packers and Movers in Bangalore

Unknown said...

5. Providing Comfort – Homeowners who have no tasks and stamina may consider choosing a moving companies. It provides comfort along its accountable workers that manages the process of shifting.
Packers and Movers Noida

Packers and Movers Navi Mumbai

Packers and Movers Thane

Packers and Movers Amritsar

Packers and Movers said...

Most of these obligations are usually complicated as well as complicated which usually has to be performed with fortitude as well as wellness and fitness appropriate excellent appropriate proper good care.
Packers and Movers in Hyderabad
Packers and Movers in Bangalore
Packers and Movers in Pune

Packers and Movers said...

Effectively you can also create the particular changing less complicated and also simple indicates through using a lot of the under described factors.
Packers and Movers in Mumbai
Packers and Movers in Delhi
Packers and Movers in Gurgaon

Unknown said...


Nice blog post..Packing, Moving and Shifting is not an easy task one place to another place.than we hire best Packers Movers, movers and packers noida . packers and movers noida . packers and movers in marathahalli . packers and movers marathahalli bangalore

Manish said...


Thanks for sharing. I hope it will be helpful for too many people that are searching for this topic.


Movers and Packers Pune
Movers and Packers in Pune

webtechcoupons said...

Hi such a great and helpful blog thanks for sharing.
Hostgator coupon codes

Full2Telugu said...

Thangamagan Audio songs Checin Informatyio jnlie news info All Aout Cobgress
Size Zero review Just boring news topics always caring about fun times

Full2Telugu said...

Thangamagan Audio songs
Size Zero review
Thangamagan Audio songs Checin Informatyio jnlie news info All Aout Cobgress
Size Zero review Just boring news topics always caring about fun times
Airtel 4G Girl Sasha Chettri Images
Kumari 21F Box Office Collections

slim said...


Step Up Height Increaser is a 100% Ayurvedic Body Growth System.
Step Up offers Amazing Results! After using StepUp Height Increaser you will see new confidence in yourself.
Step Up Height Increaser is a revolutionary step by step total growth system, It gives the required nutrients to
the body that help to increase height & also lead to total body growth.

Unknown said...

legal steroids is the best supplement for building weight.

Unknown said...

payday loans is the best way to get quick money in cash. please click here

directory post said...

I was noticing from many days that your blog is helping too many readers as your articles are easy to understand and helpful to us.
I think you should explore the articles on your website, You should also cover different different categories for articles as you writes awesome. Thanks for sharing this great article with us.
happy valentines day wallpapers
rose day wallpapers
valentines day quotes

Unknown said...

Best Outfits For Young ladies,Womens and Girls
We Have Some For You In Your Budget For more…
Plz visit:- saree

Johnabraham said...

The likelihood of an exceptional day to regard fathers and acclaim parenthood was displayed from the United States. There, a woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was stirred by the American Mother's Day merriments to organize a day to regard fathers. In the USA, Father's Day has been lauded in June since 1910.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fathers
https://wishesquotes.org/2017/04/happy-fathers-day-poems.html

Priyanka Chopra said...

Well thanks for posting such an outstanding idea. I like this blog & I like the topic and thinking of making it right.
mehndi designs 2017
quotes for girlfriend
happy wedding wishes

Jaydeep Sutariya said...

Fancy designer wear our website and reasonable price More…
We Have Some For You In Your Budget For more…
Plz visit:- Designer Anarkali salwar kameez

Anonymous said...

Designer Salwar Kameez is perhaps the desire of every single girl in this world to look amazing on her wedding day.
It is certainly important that the bride must be the star of the show.The most beautiful woman at the wedding venue.
In India,Salwar Kameez are the most obvious choice for the brides.There are many designer salwar Kameez in our site...
For more...
Plz visit:- Salwar Kameez



Anonymous said...

Exclusive Collection of silk saree and Best Outfits For Young ladies,Womens and Girls
We Have Some For You In Your Budget For more…
Plz visit:- SilkSaree

Akshar Fashion said...

Designer Bridal Lehenga is perhaps the desire of every single girl in this world to look amazing on her wedding day.
It is certainly important that the bride must be the star of the show.The most beautiful woman at the wedding venue.
In India,Bridal Lehenga are the most obvious choice for the brides.There are many designer Bridal Lehenga in our site...
For more...
Plz visit:- Bridal Lehenga

Anonymous said...

Salwar suits are the timeless addiction for Indian women and girls. At any auspicious occasion, festival times, wedding ceremonies or related functions, you simply can't miss at least one out of every three women wearing them.for more...
Plz visit:- Designer Salwar Suit
Salwar suits are the timeless addiction for Indian women and girls. At any auspicious occasion, festival times, wedding ceremonies or related functions, you simply can't miss at least one out of every three women wearing them.
Plz visit:- Salwar Suit

Anonymous said...

Salwar suits are the timeless addiction for Indian women and girls. At any auspicious occasion, festival times, wedding ceremonies or related functions, you simply can't miss at least one out of every three women wearing them.for more...
Plz visit:- Designer Salwar Suit
Salwar suits are the timeless addiction for Indian women and girls. At any auspicious occasion, festival times, wedding ceremonies or related functions, you simply can't miss at least one out of every three women wearing them.
Plz visit:- Salwar Suit

Niya Shah said...

Designer clothes are the reflection of personality of a person. It's very necessary to choose the wear according to an ocassion. In India,Designer Bridal Saree are the most obvious choice for the Young Ladies & Girls. Many more Collection is available at our site. For More....
Designer Embroidered Saree

Ankur garg said...

If you want status that makes others smile, then read our collection of Crazy Status for WhatsApp

Unknown said...

http://astrologerforloves.com/
this is best services.

Ryuk said...

I like reading an article that can make people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!

SpyHunter 5 Crack

ProCrack4 PC said...

4k video downloader crackSuch a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m so happy that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

raheelpc said...

That is very interesting, You’re an overly skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to in the hunt for more of your magnificent post. .xforce farooqpc

raheelpc said...

Thanks for sharing such great information, I highly appreciate your hard-working skills which are quite beneficial for me. navicat premium crack

Talhapc said...

Its a Very Great and Amazing Blog Dear This is Very Great and Helpful..
Talha PC
Crackedithere
dr fone crack
driverfinder pro crack

KHIZAR said...

I am very happy to read this article. Thanks for giving us Amazing info. Fantastic post.
Thanks For Sharing such an informative article, Im taking your feed also, Thanks.
actual-window-minimizer-crack/

4allcrack said...

https://crackchase.com/minitube-crack/
https://crackchase.com/netspot-pro-crack/
https://crackchase.com/jprofiler-crack/
https://crackchase.com/movie-collector-crack/
https://crackchase.com/audio-hijack-crack/

Softs 32 said...

Hi Dear, I like your post style as it’s unique from the others. I’m seeing on the page.
Elcomsoft Forensic Disk Decryptor

Crack Repack said...



I am very happy to read this article. Thanks for giving us Amazing info. Fantastic post.
Thanks For Sharing such an informative article, Im taking your feed also, Thanks.windows 11 activator

Cracking4pc said...

SolidWorks 2022 Crack Students Use
iTools Crack Free Download Full Version
Rosetta Stone Crack can no longer be concerned for those who are anxious
Autodesk 3ds Max 2023 Crack creates massive sides in online games, incredible moments for designing visual images, and fascinating online fact encounters.
Autodesk 3ds Max 2023 Crack

Post a Comment