When Spring Lets Loose

When spring lets loose all thro’ my soul

     There boils a stream of pleasure;

And poetry breaks out anew,

     In merry rhymes and measure.

Much better ‘tis that poetry

     Should do this breaking yearly

Than measles or the chicken pox,

     And doesn’t cost so dearly.

O yes indeed, when spring lets loose

     There’s joy within my bosom,

And I just jot my verses down

     At once for fear I’ll lose ‘em.

I write ‘em down and send ‘em out

     To editors of papers;

Not to be published, but to tell

     Them spring has cut her capers.

March 12, 1904