"Antigonish" (1899) William Hughes Mearns
Yesterday upon the stair
I met a man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
Oh, how I wish he’d go away
- When I came home last night at three
- The man was waiting there for me
- But when I looked around the hall
- I couldn’t see him there at all!
- Go away, go away, don’t you come back any more!
- Go away, go away, and please don’t slam the door
- Last night I saw upon the stair
- A little man who wasn’t there
- He wasn’t there again today
- Oh, how I wish he’d go away
I've always liked this... and thought it would be fun to paint it on the risers of the stairs; one line per step ~ assuming you had the proper 14.
Who doesn't love a good flight of stairs after all?
Or imaginary little people for that matter.
"Hmmmm", she said, chin resting on thumb, forefinger tapping her cheek....
Interesting aside:
My Grandmother's ancestors on her father's side came from Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Oh , I know that man! ;)
ReplyDeleteYes.... I thought you might. :)))))
ReplyDeleteNot heard this one, but I like it! Sounds like a good idea brewing there :) Could be a little mouse on each stair?? Like the Mouseman with his little carved mice on the pews in church, (which are now worth a 'small' fortune!
ReplyDeleteahhh yes, fabulous idea to have little mice, though it might drive the cats nuts! I've read of/seen photos the Mouseman's mice ~ love it! :))))
DeleteFabulous idea and great to be reminded of the verse. I know the Mouseman's work too!
ReplyDeleteAli x
and the idea will most likely stay just that... ha ha, I'd have calloused elbows from lying there painting for days! How do you not love someone who carves wee mice into things! :)))))
DeleteLovely, just lovely poem. Ask the hub to add an extra stair, or start with the steps in the livingroom ... or outside to the front door. ;-)))
ReplyDeleteYes, that's it an extra stair ~ to no where! It will be almost as entertaining as having the refridgerator's door handle on the wrong side..... he he he heeeee
ReplyDeleteHow hilarious, I learned this rhyme in 1st grade and never forgot it! It would be wonderful on the stairway,stenciled or painted, going up the treads. Just start the first line on the floor.. or as someone suggested, the door or entry way. Even on the wall at the bottom of the steps. Thank you for visiting my pups today, I can't stay busy on artwork, because I have to go into the mudroom every 10 minutes to hug them!
ReplyDeleteHi Melody - Just dropped by to say hello and thank you for your visits to my blog. I like that poem. It reminds me of when my grandmother was ill years ago and I visited her in the hospital. She asked me 'Who is that person standing behind you." I said, "There's no one there, Grandma." She said, "That's the person I'm referring to." :)
ReplyDeleteOoooo, funny! That's a great story!
DeleteLove the poem, haven't heard that in a long time. Can't wait to see your paintings, 14 steps, go for it... :)
ReplyDeleteOh I always loved this poem. It makes me smile.That would look great on stairs. It would make me dance up them. Canadian EH:)B
ReplyDelete