Fine living . . . a la carte?
Come to the Waldorf-Astoria!
LISTEN HUNGRY ONES!
Look! See what Vanity Fair says about the
new Waldorf-Astoria:
"All the luxuries of private home. . . ."
Now, won't that be charming when the last flop-house
has turned you down this winter?
Furthermore:
"It is far beyond anything hitherto attempted in the hotel
world. . . ." It cost twenty-eight million dollars. The fa-
mous Oscar Tschirky is in charge of banqueting.
Alexandre Gastaud is chef. It will be a distinguished
background for society.
So when you've no place else to go, homeless and hungry
ones, choose the Waldorf as a background for your rags—
(Or do you still consider the subway after midnight good
enough?)
ROOMERS
Take a room at the new Waldorf, you down-and-outers—
sleepers in charity's flop-houses where God pulls a
long face, and you have to pray to get a bed.
They serve swell board at the Waldorf-Astoria. Look at the menu, will
you:
GUMBO CREOLE
CRABMEAT IN CASSOLETTE
BOILED BRISKET OF BEEF
SMALL ONIONS IN CREAM
WATERCRESS SALAD
PEACH MELBA
Have luncheon there this afternoon, all you jobless.
Why not?
Dine with some of the men and women who got rich off of
your labor, who clip coupons with clean white fingers
because your hands dug coal, drilled stone, sewed gar-
ments, poured steel to let other people draw dividends
and live easy.
(Or haven't you had enough yet of the soup-lines and the bit-
ter bread of charity?)
Walk through Peacock Alley tonight before dinner, and get
warm, anyway. You've got nothing else to do.
Notes
A guest by the name of Julie has suggested that this poem is incomplete and that the ending line "For reservations: Telephone EL 5-3000" should be added. We will research this suggestion.
Charley Noble
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
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Part of a Whole
From guest Julie (contact)
Why is it never the whole poem? There's a whole 'nother four stanzas. I mean, I love this poem but it's impossible to find in it's entirety. The real ending of this poem is amazing to me. "For reservations: Telephone EL 5-3000" It just ties the whole thing together as an advertisement so well. -
Really wise
This is as true today as it was when written. Appreciate his wisdom and humor. -
I've always really liked Langston Hughes' poetry. It reflects so much on the issues and society surrounding the Harlem Rennaissance- and that era is so interesting.
The point is made so clearly in this poem, and is so tongue-in-cheek and biting. It's brilliant how he contrasts the actual situation of the "down-and-outers" with the advertisement for the luxeries of the Waldorf.
Although I love the whole poem, the last few lines are just great and, like Nelson said, satisfying. -
Good
Strange, yet satisfying. Lots of thought, especially at the end. Just comes clear and says it, but still somewhat indirectly -
I'm in awe. Thank you Terrell.
I've read the writings of many poets, yet many lack 'my home' feeling. That, 'know where I'm coming from' feeling.
Today, people put too much emphasis on the material. Who doesn't though want more for themselves. However life is full of so much more.
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