Poem and paraphrase

Poem

Yesterday, upon the stair,
I met a man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
I wish, I wish he’d go away...

When I came home last night at three
The man was waiting there for me
But when I looked around the hall
I couldn’t see him there at all!
Go away, go away, don’t you come back any more!
Go away, go away, and please don’t slam the door... (slam!)

Last night I saw upon the stair
A little man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
Oh, how I wish he’d go away

-William Hughes Mearns (1875-1965): Antigonish (1899).-

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Paraphrase

There was a man upon the stair
When I looked back, he wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
I think he's from the CIA.

-Anonymous: Mad magazine (1970s).-

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