Life, 1928-04-05 · page 29 of 59
Life — April 5, 1928 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous poem by Baron Ireland celebrating Charles Lindbergh's 1927 transatlantic flight. The cartoon illustrates how aviation has shrunk the world—Lindbergh's solo flight to Paris made distant places suddenly feel accessible. The poem uses the "small world" refrain ironically across three scenarios: ordinary pedestrians exercising in New York City, two women unexpectedly meeting while shopping (Miss Ginsburg and Miss McLean), and Lindbergh's remarkable aerial journey spanning Nicaragua, North Carolina, Le Bourget (France), Madagascar, and other far-flung locations. The central image shows a globe with aircraft scattered across continents, emphasizing how technology has collapsed geographical distances. The satire gently mocks how people express amazement at coincidental meetings while taking for granted that one man can now casually fly across oceans. The poem's refrain—"It is a small world after all"—captures the wonder and slight absurdity of this newly shrunken global reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HE world is wide, Whoerer tries The stunt of walking twice a day A measured mile for exercise Will grant the truth of what I say. Or bouncing in a Flivvolet Down William Street to City Hall The actual truth is hard to weigh— It is a small world after all. Yes, Lindy, you have brought Cathay As close as Youkers or Bengal, Ballade of Terrestrial Dimensions When, seeking bargains in men’s ties, Miss Ginsburg of the Maison Mae Meets Miss McLean of Bamm’s their cries Of greeting fill the Roodla Pay... . “Why, who'da thought to meet you, Fay!" “Murree! You weren't due bere till fall! I thought you were in San Jose! It is @ small world after all!” L'ENvol But lo! Whenas our Lindy flies In bis aerial one-man shay To Nicaragua, North Cochise And points southeast to Le Bourget, From Udaipur to Buzzards Bay; From Madagascar to St. Paul, What say the multitudes? Say they, "It is a small world after all!” So right at home I'm going to stay... . It is a small world ayter all! Baron Ireland. comicbooks.com