Scott, Anthology of Up-to-Date Canadian Poetry

An Anthology of Up-to-Date Canadian Poetry
By F.R. Scott

Prologue
'We see thee rise, O Canada,
The true North, strong and free,
(Tralala-lala, tralala-lala, etc. . . .'

I
Natural Resources

Come and see the vast natural wealth of this mine.
In the short space of ten years
It has produced six American millionaires
And two thousand pauperized Canadian families.

II
The New Philanthropy

This employer, who pays $9 a week for a 10 hour day,
Is exceedingly concerned
Lest Mr. Bennett should adopt the dole,
And so ruin the morale of the workers.

III
Summer Camp

Here is a lovely little camp
Built among Canadian hills
By a Children’s Welfare Society
Which is entirely supported by voluntary contributions.
All summer long underprivileged children scamper about.
And it is astonishing how quickly they look healthy and well.
Two weeks here in the sun and air
Through the kindness of our charity subscribers
Will be a wonderful help to the little tots
When they return for a winter in the slums.

IV
The Hero

Having stuck several Germans with a bayonet
For Canada, the Empire, and Civilization,
This unemployed ex-service man
Surveys the results of his sacrifice
From a bread line.

V
Hospital

Here the sick and dying are cared for
With the latest scientific skill,
And are visited by those to whom they are dear —
The rich, in their private rooms, every day,
The poor, in the public wards,
From 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

VI
Sound Finance

The great executive heads of this corporation
Follow the principles of sound, conservative finance.
By reducing wages, turning old employees into the street,
And drawing upon reserves hidden away during prosperity,
They have been able to continue paying full dividends.

VII
Democracy: 1832–1932

Canada celebrates the centenary of the Reform Bill
By keeping the Beauharnois enquiry from going too far.

VIII
Our Institutions

Meet Senator Haymond D. Belgan McLocourt
Whom the Canadian people have chosen as lawmaker.
He was unsparing of his private means (or his shareholders’)
In helping his party — sheer public spirit
Justly rewarded by the lease of a power site.
Later he was given a constituency in the Maritimes
And was famous for the staunch way he got jobs for his friends.
After a few years of this training in statecraft
The death of Senator Wishwash, aged 97,
(You know — the one connected with the Custom’s scandal)
Created a vacancy in the Upper Chamber,
So H. D. B. McLocourt was accorded the honour.

IX
Xmas Shopping

It is so nice for people to give things at Christmas
That the stores stay open every evening till ten,
And the shop-girls celebrate the coming of Christ
By standing on their feet fourteen hours a day.

X
British Traditions

Crack this man's head open with a police baton,
And send him to gaol for sedition.