Tuesday 16 December 2008

Mr Blob by E.V. Rieu


This poem was in a book called "A Puffin Quartet of Poets", which I was given when I was little.

My heart went out to Mr Blob the moment that we met,
And the manner of his coming is a thing I can't forget.
It fell upon a Sunday in the merry month of June,
Between a rainy morning and a rainy afternoon.

He didn't use the window, and he didn't use the door;
He never took his hat off and he never touched the floor;
He didn't look as if he'd grown, like us: he just began,
And stood before us there, a simple English gentleman.

He wasn't very dandified or dainty in his dress,
But the absence of his trousers seemed to cause him no distress,
For the smile upon his features was a marvel to behold,
And underneath that buttoned vest there beat a heart of gold.

He wasn't long among us: all too little had been said
When a heavy hand descended on his inoffensive head,
And a Voice delivered judgement; 'Mr Blob is far too stout;
He's a silly little fellow, and I mean to rub him out.'

He didn't seem offended, but I think he must have heard,
For he rose up from the paper and he went without a word.
His boots and buttons only lingered on a little while,
And the last of him to vanish was the vestige of a smile.

O Mr Blob, the world would be a very pleasant place
If everyone resembled you in figure and in face.
If everybody went about with open arms like you
The stars would all be brighter and the sky a bluer blue.

My heart went out to mr Blob the moment that we met,
And the sorrow of his going is a thing that haunts me yet;
For often when the clouds are low I sit at home and sob
To think that I shall see no more the face of Mr Blob.

7 comments:

Ruth said...

I read this poem when I was just 8-years old and 45 years later, I can still remember it and it still touches me. A whimsical, understated poem that packs a big emotional punch.

Kitsch and Curious said...

Totally agree with your comment. I'm the same age as you and it has stayed with me all these years.
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Unknown said...

E.V. Rieu was popular in the Sovietic Union, I read those poems when I was a child, and still remember them by heart in Russian... Now, 30 years later, I still love them ❤️
Mr. Blob was my and my mom’s favorite.
I grew up and learn languages, and always wanted to know how the original versions sound... and they are exactly the same as the translated version I’ve learned as a child.

SOL said...

"it is heartbreaking" says my 7 year old granddaughter who has just heard this for the first time.

Unknown said...

My sister learned this poem as part of her elocution classes when she was about 9 years old in 1960. We both loved it and later had a gorgeous black and white cat that we named Mr Blob. It still means a lot to me.

Unknown said...

I learnt this poem as a child and I've never forgotten the words. thinks ive still got the poetry book somewhere!


Unknown said...

This is my favourite poem ever, I am 67 and can still remember every word...well almost, it made me cry as a child and still makes me cry now. I still love Mr Blob. Can anyone tell me who wrote it?