If the excursion train to Peoria
Had just been wrecked, I might have escaped with my life —
Certainly I should have escaped this place.
But as it was burned as well, they mistook me
For John Allen who was sent to the Hebrew Cemetery
At Chicago,
And John for me, so I lie here.
It was bad enough to run a clothing store in this town,
But to be buried here — ach!
Barney Hainsfeather
Analysis, meaning and summary of Edgar Lee Masters's poem Barney Hainsfeather
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