History & Politics
For Mayor
From Black Beetles in Amber (1892)
O Abner Doble--whose "catarrhal name"
Budd of that ilk might envy--'tis a rough
Rude thing to say, but it is plain enough
Your name is to be sneezed at: its acclaim
Will "fill the speaking trump of future fame"
With an impeded utterance--a puff
Suggesting that a pinch or two of snuff
Would clear the tube and somewhat disinflame.
Nay, Abner Doble, you'll not get from me
My voice and influence: I'll cheer instead,
Some other man; for when my voice ascends a
Tall pinnacle of praise, and at high C
Sustains a chosen name, it shan't be said
My influence is naught but influenza.
Cite this poem
MLA
Bierce, Ambrose. “For Mayor.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bierce/104/.
Chicago
Bierce, Ambrose. “For Mayor.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bierce/104/.
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