Song Of The Microbe

          I.

I’m in the air,

I’m everywhere,

I’m after all of you;

You can’t escape

My little shape,

If I choose to pursue.

I’m in your food,

Both bad and good,

I’m with you both day and night;

I’m in your meat,

And all you eat,

Tho’ I am out of sight.

          II.

I’m in the dust,

I’m in the crust,

I’m in the bucket old;

I’m in the well,

I’m in the dell,

I’m in the sunny world.

I’m here and there,

I’m everywhere,

My grip I never lose;

My little shape

You can’t escape,

I catch whome’er I choose.

          Refrain

Just a little microbe,

     Just a tiny mite;

Just –playing possum,

     Hidden out of sight.

Laying low and waiting,

     As yet unknown to fame;

Just a little microbe,

     I get there just the same.

Feb. 29, 1896

B. Courier, Dec. 12, 1897