Twenty-Two

I’m twenty-two years old to-day,

     November thirteen, ninety-one.

The leaden clouds have passed away,

     And brightly shines the welcome sun.

I’m twenty-two years old to-day,

     And to be sure, must celebrate;

So I will pen a useful lay

     Which to myself I’ll dedicate.

              The Lay

O, fool you are, to waste your time

In grinding out such useless rhyme.

Praise from your friends you so not lack,

But how they laugh behind your back!

Lay down your arms! Give up the strain

Which racks your body, soul and brain;

And you a fatter man will be

When you arrive at twenty-three.

Nov. 13, ‘91

Pub. in Ct.

Valley Ad.