My Virtual Reading Room

A Gray Mood

As we hurry away to the end, my friend,
Of this sad little farce called existence,
We are sure that the future will bring one thing,
And that is the grave in the distance.

And so when our lives run along all wrong,
And nothing seems real or certain,
We can comfort ourselves with the thought (or not)
Of that scepter behind the curtain.

But we haven't much time to repine or whine,
Or to wound or jostle each other;
And the hour for us each is to-day, I say,
If we mean to assist a brother.

And there is no pleasure that earth gives birth,
But the worry it brings is double;
And all that repays for the strife of Life,
Is helping some soul in trouble.

I tell you, if I could go back the track
To my life's morning hour,
I would not set forth seeking name or fame,
Or that poor bauble called power.

I would be like the sunlight, and live to give;
I would lend but I would not borrow;
Nor would I be blind and complain of pain,
Forgetting the meaning of sorrow.

This world is a vaporous jest at best,
Tossed off by the gods in laughter;
And a cruel attempt at wit were it,
If nothing better came after.

It is reeking with hearts that ache and break,
Which we ought to comfort and strengthen,
As we hurry away to the end, my friend,
And the shadows behind us lengthen.

(Ella Wheeler Wilcox)

"The troubles we inflict upon ourselves
Hurt worst of all."

(Sophocles)

"Deliberate cruelty is the only unforgivable sin."

(Blanche Dubois in Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire)

I think we could all use a laugh...
Cat

Gift from Heaven

(A husband is a gift from Heaven to a woman, says a prominent sociologist.--News item.)

Does your gift from Heaven give you all the money that you need?
Does he bring men home for dinner when but two you'd planned to feed?
Does your gift from Heaven always do exactly as he should?
Does he hang up his pajamas or just leave them where he stood?
As a husband have you thought him in his manners rather slack?
Well, he's now your gift from Heaven!  Would you like to send him back?

Does your gift from Heaven, lady, stay out rather late at night?
Does he grumble in the morning if the coffee isn't right?
Does he whistle while he's shaving?  Does he toss his things about?
When you make a bid at contract does he always take you out?
Does he frequently annoy you by the silly things he'll do?
Then remember, little lady, he was Heaven's gift to you.

A scientist has told us that he thoroughly believes
A husband is a present which from Heaven the wife receives,
And I know the men will hail him as a friend, but I shall fear
To quote my Heavenly rating for I know she'll say, "My dear,
You may be a gift from somewhere, but you can't be Heaven sent,
The professor's made an error--'twas the other place he meant."

(Edgar A. Guest)