It's fine for a man to be cheerful, I don't like the crabber a bit; But listen, I'll slip you an earful: Although an admirer of grit I can't stand the Cheshire Cat person Who wears on his map all the while A fixed, ineffaceable, Sculptured, unchaseable, Evermore tarrying, Nevermore varying Smile! That kind of a bird isn't human For sometimes, when luck's running bad, The bravest of sports—man or woman— Is bound to get grouchy or mad. And though they may conquer their troubles In plucky, unfaltering style, They won't wear that terrible, Almost unbearable, Wholly unquellable, Carved and indelible Smile! A smile is undoubtedly pleasant— A smile of the natural kind, But when it's unchangeably present You wonder what's lurking behind; And I am intensely distrustful Of devious scheming and guile Behind a perpetual, Glad-to-have-met-you-all, Guaranteed Durable, Chronic, incurable Smile! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COTTER'S SATURDAY NIGHT by ROBERT BURNS IN THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH; 1677 by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER ANIMAL TRANQUILITY AND DECAY; A SKETCH by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH GREAT THOUGHTS by PHILIP JAMES BAILEY |