The Romance Of Patrolman Casey

Read 'The Romance Of Patrolman Casey' by 'Ellis Parker Butler' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

The Romance Of Patrolman Casey by Ellis Parker Butler

 There was a young patrolman who
 Had large but tender feet;
They always hurt him badly when
 He walked upon his beat.
(He always took them with him when
 He walked upon his beat.)

His name was Patrick Casey and
 A sweetheart fair had he;
Her face was full of freckles—but
 Her name was Kate McGee.
(It was in spite of freckles that
 Her name was Kate McGee.)

“Oh, Pat!” she said, “I’ll wed you when
 Promotion comes to you!”
“I’m much-obliged,” he answered, and
 “I’ll see what I can do.”
(I may remark he said it thus—
 “Oi’ll say phwat Oi kin do.”)

So then he bought some new shoes which
 Allowed his feet more ease—
They may have been large twelves. Perhaps
 Eighteens, or twenty-threes.
(That’s rather large for shoes, I think—
 Eighteens or twenty-threes!)

What last they were I don’t know, but
 Somehow it seems to me
I’ve heard somewhere they either were
 A, B, C, D, or E.
(More likely they were five lasts wide—
 A, B plus C, D, E.)

They were the stoutest cowhide that
 Could be peeled off a cow.

But he was not promoted

 So
Kate wed him anyhow.

(This world is crowded full of Kates
 That wed them anyhow.)

Form: Light Verse Comments

Comments About This Poem

Share your interpretation, favorite passage, or thoughts about this famous poem. Please provide an in-depth and meaningful comment.

  • What do you think the poet was trying to say?
  • Which line had the biggest impact on you?
  • How does this poem relate to modern life?
  • What literary devices did you notice?
bennett Avatar
September 14, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Hi! Your poetry really caught my attention, especially the way each stanza seems to lead naturally into the next. It made me think about how interesting it would be to visually continue that progression. I’m a commission artist who enjoys turning written ideas into connected visuals, and I’d love to work with you on a continuous visual sequence where each stanza becomes the inspiration for the next visual, allowing the poem to unfold visually from beginning to end. If you’d ever be interested in exploring that idea, I’d be happy to connect. Discord: eve_verse Email: [email protected]
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace