The Jabberwocky
The Jabberwocky has always been a bittersweet poem for me. It is my favorite poem although I don’t really like poetry. There is something lyrical about it that has always struck my fancy. I often catch myself half-way through the poem without being aware I was even saying it to begin with. The reason it is bittersweet is that I had to memorize it for my least favorite teacher of all time, my 8th grade English teacher. I did not like her, and I did not like the assignment but for some reason this has stuck with me. I will now share this poem with all of you. I hope you like it as much as I do. Be sure to read the glossary for some added information.
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought –
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thoughtAnd as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!One, two! One, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.“And has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.