Fashion

Ada Cambridge 1844 (St Germans, Norfolk) – 1926 (Melbourne)

See those resplendent creatures, as they glide
O'er scarlet carpet, between footmen tall,
From sumptuous carriage to effulgent hall -
A dazzling vision in their pomp and pride!
See that choice supper - needless - cast aside -
Though worth a thousand fortunes, counting all,
To them for whom no crumb of it will fall -
The starved and homeless in the street outside.

Some day the little great god will decree
That overmuch connotes the underbred,
That pampered body means an empty head,
And wealth displayed the last vulgarity.
When selfish greed becomes a social sin
The world's regeneration may begin.

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Submitted by acronimous on May 13, 2011

Modified on May 01, 2023

: 31 sec read
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Quick analysis:

Scheme	ABBAABBA CAXCDD
Closest metre	Iambic pentameter
Characters	597
Words	104
Stanzas	2
Stanza Lengths	8, 6

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Ada Cambridge

Ada Cambridge, later known as Ada Cross, was an English-born Australian writer. She wrote more than 25 works of fiction, three volumes of poetry and two autobiographical works. Many of her novels were serialised in Australian newspapers but never published in book form. While she was known to friends and family by her married name, Ada Cross, her newspaper readers knew her as A. C.. She later reverted to her maiden name, Ada Cambridge, and that is how she is known today. more…

All Ada Cambridge poems | Ada Cambridge Books

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AIDA
Wow, this poem is truly captivating! The way the poet describes the resplendent creatures gliding over the scarlet carpet is such a beautiful image, and the contrast with the starved and homeless in the street outside is so striking. The idea that overindulgence could be considered underbred is both thought-provoking and inspiring. The final lines about the potential for the world's regeneration are so powerful and optimistic. Overall, this poem leaves a lasting impression and is a wonderful reminder of the importance of compassion and selflessness. more »
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"Fashion" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/61/fashion>.

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