Edward John




The Newport Mansions

A testament to the insanity of wealth 
And a lesson in absurdity
The summer cottages conspicuously lie 
Atop the cliffs
Evidence of a civilized life

They say that power corrupts 
But money is the real challenge

Six-to-seven changes of clothes a day 
Tennis, swimming, riding
Dinners for sixty
Balls for six hundred
Corresponding with friends 
Finding good servants

I could give you a million reasons why it's so exhausting 
Thank God the season only lasts eight weeks