Scarlet Portmanteau

Duke Luke by his bateau Arrived at his chateau, Had he travelled through large eau! His mysterious rendez-vous with Henry Thoreau Yielded him a scarlet portmanteau. Entering his bureau, he took off his manteau and opened the portmanteau: The Snow Man was inside And though not well could he sing, Sang he a song of himself: Stopping by woods on a snowy evening He met Annabel Lee on a large shelf, Frightened he was by the raven And took the road not taken: Crossed he the mending wall And hearing the anecdote of the jar To noble savage Billy Budd an honest fare he paid Large and far Travelled he From spring to fall Self-reliance: the idea he hath The American Scholar guided his path; He slept a long time In a clean well-lighted place; One winter he woke up In a station of the metro: He fastened his tender buttons and found a red wheelbarrow; 'No ideas but in things' - A lovely image this brings! To his disappointment and sorrow, He never saw the snows of Kilimanjaro. Duke Luke in disbelief Wiped his eyes And pinched his ears; The Snow Man disappeared. Duke Luke Took a look At his portmanteau In hopes of seeing something He found Nothing.