Poem by Carolyn Wells

A Photographic Failure

Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle
    Saw a patient Periwinkle
With a kodak, sitting idly by a rill.
    Feeling a desire awaken
    For to have his picture taken,
Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle stood stock-still.

    Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle
    Felt his brow begin to wrinkle,
And his pose assume a sad and solemn style;
    But the Periwinkle trusted,
    As the focus he adjusted,
That his customer would kindly try to smile.

    Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle
    Felt his eyes begin to twinkle,
And his mouth took on a broad and open grin;
    Said the Periwinkle, sadly,
    "If you stretch your jaw so madly,
I fear perhaps that I shall tumble in."

    Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle
    Felt his hair begin to crinkle,
As it rose up on his forehead in affright;
    Though his comrade spoke so mildly,
    Mr. Hinkle wondered wildly,
How he could escape this dire and awful plight.

    Mr. Hezekiah Hinkle
    Said, "I fear it's going to sprinkle,
And really for a storm I'm not prepared."
    Then without a further warning
    He politely said, "Good morning,"
And the patient Periwinkle stood and stared.

1. The Musical Carp
2. A Marvel
3. A Penitential Week
4. The Poster-Girl after Dante Gabriel Rossetti
5. The New Cup

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