Fashion’s Rule

From the Evening Star, April 16, 1915. By Philander Johnson.

There is a reason for each thing
    That time brings to attention;
Though sudden changes often bring
    A state of apprehension.
Somebody wears a funny hat,
    His friends straightway go dashin’
To get some headgear just like that
    Because it is the fashion.

Somebody uses language queer,
    And others imitate it.
An epigram we chance to hear
    And straightway all orate it,
Not for the thought it may contain
    Nor poetry nor passion;
We simply hand it out again
    Because it is the fashion.

A stock wakes up some morning fine.
    Somebody thinks he’ll try it.
The word is passed along the line
    And many rush to buy it.
Few of them pause to calculate
    As ticker talk comes flashin’.
It booms at an amazing rate
    Because it is the fashion.