A provocative verse piece and companion notes that explore a famous poem and its origin.
This edition centers on the complete poem and the events around its creation.
The book presents the complete poem, titled for the first time in this country, along with a background note about its origin in Montreal in 1897. It recounts how a newspaper editor challenged a staff writer, leading to a rapid, thirteen-verse composition and a printing mishap that changed what appeared in print. The narrative also follows the poet’s later life and the poem’s publication history, offering a window into editorial work and memory surrounding the piece.
Accompanying the verse are illustrations by Jessie A. Walker, adding a visual companion to the text. The edition also includes a description of the poem’s early reception and its broader cultural footprint, providing context for readers exploring historical satire and wartime rhetoric.
- The complete poem, presented with its original premise and cadence.
- A behind-the-scenes note on how the poem came to be published and remembered.
- Illustrations by Jessie A. Walker accompany the verse.
- Historical context that connects the poem to its era and reception.
Ideal for readers of historical verse, literary history, and satire seeking a concise look at a controversial wartime piece and its publication story.