He Begs to be Excused

There are some things I’d like to be,

     Some jobs I’d like to hold right well;

Some heights of fame I’d like to climb

     And hear the crowd hurrah and yell.

I’d like to be so many things,

     And shine before the world a gem;

But of these things I’d like to be

     An umpire is not one of them.

April 22, ‘09