The Kick

First I tried a Dry Martini;
But found not one teeny-weeny
Semblance of a kick in any kind of this.
Then I sampled a Manhattan;
But 'twas much the same with that 'un;
And as impotent I found an Angel's Kiss.

So I drank the menu thro';
Side-car, Bronx and Gin-and-Two.
Such innocuous concoctions left me sad.
And I yearned with eager yearning
For a cocktail, sudden, burning,
That might give a man a jolt and make him glad.

Then a fellow, somewhat seedy,
Down at heel and seeming needy,
said, 'If it's a kick you're seeking, come with me.'
So we went into a garden
That to me seemed partly Arden,
Partly, Eden; and we sat beneath a tree.

Here my friend produced a bottle,
Drew the stopper from its throttle,
And, pouring out a nip, said, 'Drink this, quick!'
No least hesitation followed;
I threw back my head and swallowed.
Oh, boy!  Oh, res and furies!  What a kick!

Green lightnings and blue blazes!
Fierce stars in fiery hazes!
Pink elephants that flapped about the sky! ...
When I woke, some five hours later,
Feeling queer at the equator,
'Great Scott!  How do you make that stuff?' said I.

'First of all,' he proudly stated,
'Take a pint of methylated,
Stir in varnish, an' some 'air oil, just a drop.
Then, if pep should still be lackin',
Add turps, an' a tin of blackin'.
Me own invention, called the Fitzcray Flop.'