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Would You Believe It?
by
Ellis Parker Butler


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One year ago I wished that I
A banker great might be
With a hundred million dollars
And financial majesty;

A mighty Wall Street banker
With a whopping lot of power
And an income of somewhere around
A thousand plunks per hour;

A solid Wall Street banker
With securities in sacks
And with clever men to show me
How to pay no income tax;

A wealthy Wall Street banker
Who raked in cash like hay;
I wished that just a year ago
And I wish the same today.


This poem is in the public domain.

 


Ellis Parker Butler (1869 -1937) was a writer, editor, and banker. Born and raised in Muscatine, Iowa, he spent most of his life in New York City. Author of more than 30 books and more than 2,000 stories and essays which appeared in hundreds of newspapers and magazines, Ellis published his first story at the age of 13. Several of his works were converted into film, including Pigs is Pigs and  The Jack-Knife Man, was turned into a successful movie. Ellis was instrumental in starting the Authors' League of America.

 

 


Post New Comment:
Darrell Arnold:
Clever and funny. We are all in that same big boat, Doin' our best to stay afloat. I work as a cashier in a big marketplace. My register is about ten yards away from an Arizona Lottery Machine. Every day, I can see hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars going into that machine. We all have those dreams of financial independence. Very few of us will ever see those dreams come true. But we can still laugh at ourselves and the struggle. Thanks, Jayne, for introducing me to Mr. Butler.
Posted 03/16/2024 04:47 PM
Anastasia:
I, too, wish this wish!
Posted 03/16/2024 04:45 PM
EstherJ:
I think this voices the thoughts of many people in a more enjoyable way than I could put it.
Posted 03/16/2024 12:45 PM
Wilda Morris:
Amusing and relevant! And a surprise ending - I expected something preachy, suggesting a better wish.
Posted 03/16/2024 08:18 AM


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