Too Polite

I’ve wandered round this world a bit by land and then by sea,

And still I am behind the game, it always seems to me.

I’ve not got much of anywhere through all my worldly flight

Because, it seems to me I’ve been a little too polite.

When waiting for a railroad train where many people are

I never, never get a seat upon the cherished car;

The crowd it pushes right and left and steal from me my right,

And so I have to stand because I’ve tried to be polite.

I’ve stood in line for tickets where the women fair have come

And wedged themselves in front of me and looked me stiff and dumb;

So I’ve been last in the line and mourned my sorry plight

Because I didn’t show my teeth and be far less polite.

It’s been the same at social spreads where dainties were in view

And each supposed to help himself, and guests were not a few;

I’ve let the stampede turn me down and never had a bite

And all because I was a chump and tried to be polite.

But I don’t care so much for that, though now I’m old and gray,

With nothing much to show for what I’ve gathered on the way;

Though I’ve not had the foremost seat, and lost the cakes and pies,

I do not mope the livelong day with tears and soulful sighs.

The only thing that worries me is on the judgment day

I wonder if the crowd will push and jamb the same old way;

I wonder if I’ll modest be and lose my heavenly right

As I have done upon the earth being too polite?

Dec. 16, 1910