Edgar Albert Guest Poems

With time our notions allus change,
An' years make old idees seem strange-
Take Mary there- time was when she
Thought one child made a family,
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When he has suffered honest woe,
I do not mind the man who grieves,
But I hate him who stubs his toe
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Why not think a decent thought,
Now and then?
Why not ponder, as you ought,
Now and then?
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I NEVER pondered much on war,
Except to think it was inspiring
To have a cause to battle for,
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If you can smooth his path a bit,
Bring laughter to his worried face,
Restore today his stock of grit
And help him all his troubles chase.
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O, SAD and solemn holy day,
O, bitterest of bitter hours!
Behold He staggers on His way
Beneath the cross that saps His powers.
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The choir we had in Pixley wasn't much for looks an' styles,
But today if I could hear it I would walk a hundred miles;
There warn't a singer in it that could boast she 'd crossed the seas
To study with the masters and to learn to make high C's;
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BLUE skies mighty temptin', an' the sunbeams coaxin', too,
An' my wo'k is gettin' harder ebery day;
Ain't a-takin' any int'rest in de things I has t' do,
Jes' sittin' heah an' wishin' time away.
Jes' a-wishin' fo' de fishin'
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I'SPOSE the big head bendin' over my crib
Is my Pa.
I 'spose that wiseacre whose talk is so glib
Is my Pa.
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If I had youth I'd bid the world to try me;
I'd answer every challenge to my will.
And though the silent mountains should defy me,
I'd try to make them subject to my skill.
...