WE'VE worked a little, Jim, my boy, And thumbed our primers through, And walked a bit, and talked a bit, And smoked a pipe or two. I'll not deny we've made mistakes, -- And noticed some too late. (It's better to be honest, Jim, In adding up the slate.) We've kicked our heels against the fence, And talked about the teams, And criticized the ways of Yale, About like most, it seems. We've had our glass with Louis, too And sung our little song, And ended with our hearts -- I hope -- About where they belong. The shoulder-rubbing has been long, But, if we've stood the test, It's taught us how to judge our friends By what sticks out as best. And if we haven't learned to win, We've learned at least to try. We've lots to thank the place for, Jim, Before we say good-by. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UPON DRINKING IN A BOWL by ANACREON PATIENCE TAUGHT BY NATURE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE WATER MILL by SARAH DOUDNEY IN THE SHADOWS: 19 by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861) THE GARDEN SEAT by THOMAS HARDY THE MAN HE KILLED by THOMAS HARDY SONNET: 27 by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 18 by OMAR KHAYYAM TO MRS. MARTHA BLOUNT (ON HER BIRTHDAY, 1723) by ALEXANDER POPE |