I Like Americans
by Edna St. Vincent Millay
I like Americans.
You may say what you will, they are the nicest people in the world.
They sleep with their windows open.
Their bathtubs are never dry.
They are not grown up yet. They still believe in Santa Claus.
They are terribly in earnest.
But they laugh at everything…
I like Americans.
They give the matches free…
I like Americans.
They are the only men in the world, the sight of whom in their shirt-sleeves is not rumpled, embryonic and agonizing…
I like Americans.
They carry such pretty umbrellas.
The Avenue de l’Opera on a rainy day is just an avenue on a rainy day.
But Fifth Avenue on a rainy day is an old-fashioned garden under a shower…
They are always rocking the boat.
I like Americans.
They either shoot the whole nickel, or give up the bones.
You may say what you will, they are the nicest people in the world.
by Edna St. Vincent Millay
I like Americans.
You may say what you will, they are the nicest people in the world.
They sleep with their windows open.
Their bathtubs are never dry.
They are not grown up yet. They still believe in Santa Claus.
They are terribly in earnest.
But they laugh at everything…
I like Americans.
They give the matches free…
I like Americans.
They are the only men in the world, the sight of whom in their shirt-sleeves is not rumpled, embryonic and agonizing…
I like Americans.
They carry such pretty umbrellas.
The Avenue de l’Opera on a rainy day is just an avenue on a rainy day.
But Fifth Avenue on a rainy day is an old-fashioned garden under a shower…
They are always rocking the boat.
I like Americans.
They either shoot the whole nickel, or give up the bones.
You may say what you will, they are the nicest people in the world.
Happy 4th of July to All
Photograph of Jacqueline and Caroline Kennedy
Hyannisport, Mass.
By Mark Shaw
31 comments:
What a great way to start the Fourth... :) So often I feel I must apologize for us all these days... This is both generous of heart AND fun! Just the freeing feeling needed to enhance our celebrating!
AND it makes me wish I were in Marblehead with my cousins.... *sigh*
Safe and Happy Celebrating, dear!
Circe
Happy 4th of July!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I have always loved that photo of Jackie and Caroline...... beautiful post as always!
Hello P&E,
Do you think Edna liked Americans??!! Have a great day.
Wonderful photograph - thanks for sharing it. My first visit here, I will be back. Thank you for the poem. Like everyone else in the world, we try to help in odd and uncertain ways at times, as we all keep trying our hand at the awkward game of "celebrating and saving our worlds."
Happy 4th, Pamela, and to your little dogs too.
What a great photo. Thanks.
Happy 4th July! I like Americans too, always have fun when I visit your country.
To celebrate the day, I have left you a little something on my blog.
Go! Edna! happy 4th Pamela and Edward!
What a perfect sentiment...I love Americans too!
Have a wonderful fourth!
A very different take on us from Edna, but I have to admit, there is still truth there.
Happy Fourth of July!!
Yes, I have an American brother-in-law, and I like him. And my American friends, I like them. And my American blogger friends, I like them too.
Yes, I think I must like Americans too...
What a great poem, and what a fabulous photo!!! Love her. sigh.
xo Isa
I think it is important to embrace the good in us, to acknowledge where we need to improve, to apologize for when and where we have failed and to heartily join in supporting what we truly are and that is citizens of the world. Americans yes, but we truly are brothers and sisters the world round.
Hope Apple and Edward are not too terrorized by the celebrations and a joyful weekend to all.
Beautiful words and photos. I like Americans too!
Happy Fourth to you and Edward, Pamela!
xox
Constance
I like the not quite grown up bit!
Yes, I'm pretty happy to be an American
as is Buster too
Happy 4th of July from Canada !
wow, i love this !!!
i am going to save it and pass it on.
xx
Happy Fourth of July! Enjoy the fireworks.
What a fun and lovely poem. I like the line, "their bathtubs are never dry..." how interesting!
Lovely picture of Camelot! Happy 4th!
Lovely poem, stunning photograph and, oh, what a sublimely beautiful blog I've discovered here. I came over from Ces to see what it was that inspired and delighted her so much about 'The House of Edward'...and I absolutely understand. I will go now and wander through the rooms filled with pictures and prose and poetry. What a very special magic the 'house' seems to hold.
Happy weekend to you...and I like people...including Americans..;)
Happy 4th July Pamela. I hope you had a wonderful day.
Wonderfully written :) Hope you had a great 4th!
Love it - just how I feel about Americans - and what a lovely photograph of Jackie and her daughter too.
Whoops - the 'Alexandra' up there in the comments is actually me, Tessa! My daughter used my computer last night to check her emails and I didn't notice that she hadn't logged off, so I've been 'Alexandra-ing' all over the Blogosphere today! Sorry!
Happy "belated" Fourth to you Pamela.
Lovely poem and wonderful picture.
Sending a "pat" to Edward.
Barb
Hope you had a great weekend with 4th July celebrations Pamela. What a wonderful photo of Jackie and Caroline!
Same to you! photos like that make me sad. hard to believe Caroline is the last one from that family.
This is a nice poem especially as so many folks around the world have disliked us so much in recent years. Maybe the tide is turning now. I do agree with St. Vincent Milay that we have not grown up.
Fabulous photo of some Kennedys. Thank you.
I have never read that poem before. Wonderful.
This week I am teaching a class of 16 senior level managers from Africa, Asia, Central America and the Middle East. They have been in the US for almost 4 months. What did they tell me? They think Americans are very friendly and helpful!
It is nice to stop once in a while to acknowledge the non-political side of our land. This poem does it beautifully, and I thank you for sharing it, Pamela. And what a picture. Those of us of a certain age will always look upon such views with a nostalgic warmth.
Post a Comment