Classic Poem

I saw them all!
I could have laughed aloud
To see them at their capers;
That serious, solemn-footed, weighty crowd
Of angels — or, say, resurrected drapers!
Each with a thin flame swinging round his head!
With lilting wings and eyes of holy dread!
And curving ears strained for the great foot-fall!
And not a thought of sin — !
I don't know how I kept the laughter in.

For I was there!
Unknown, unguessed at! Snug
In a rose tree's branchy spurt!
With two week's whisker blackening lug to lug!
With tattered breeks and only half a shirt!
Swollen fit to burst with laughter at the sight
Of those dull angels, drooping left and right
Along the towering throne! Each in a scare
To hear His foot advance,
Huge from the cloud behind! All in a trance!

And suddenly,
As silent as a ghost,
I jumped out from the bush!
Went scooting through the glaring, nerveless host
All petrified, all gaping in a hush!
Came to the throne, and, nimble as a rat,
Hopped up it, squatted close, and there I sat,
Squirming with laughter till I had to cry,
To see Him standing there,
Frozen with all His angels in a stare!

He raised His hand!
His hand! 'Twas like a sky!
Gripped me in half a finger,
Flipped me round, and sent me spinning high
Through screaming planets! Faith, I didn't linger
To scratch myself ... And then adown I sped,
Scraping old moons and twisting, heels and head,
A chuckle in the void! Till ... here I stand
As naked as a brick!
I'll sing the Peeler and the Goat in half a tick!