Don't mind being broke at all, When I can say that what I had Was spent for toys for kiddies small And that the spending made 'em glad. I don't regret the money gone, If happiness it left behind. An empty purse I'll look upon Contented, if its record's kind. There's no disgrace in being broke, Unless it's due to flying high; Though poverty is not a joke, The only thing that counts is "why?" The dollars come to me and go; To-day I've eight or ten to spend; To-morrow I'll be sailing low, And have to lean upon a friend. But if that little bunch of mine Is richer by some toy or frill, I'll face the world and never whine Because I lack a dollar bill. I'm satisfied, if I can see One smile that hadn't bloomed before. The only thing that counts with me Is what I've spent my money for. I might regret my sorry plight, If selfishness brought it about; If for the fun I had last night, Some joy they'd have to go without. But if I've swapped my bit of gold, For laughter and a happier pack Of youngsters in my little fold I'll never wish those dollars back. If I have traded coin for things They needed and have left them glad, Then being broke no sorrow brings -- I've done my best with what I had. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COAT OF FIRE by EDITH SITWELL SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 28 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE SHIPWRECK, SELECTION by WILLIAM FALCONER STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING by ROBERT FROST NOCTURNAL SKETCH; BLANK VERSE IN RHYME by THOMAS HOOD ITALY SWEET TOO! by JOHN KEATS THE CRICKET by FREDERICK GODDARD TUCKERMAN THE LORD OF THOULOUSE; A LEGEND OF LANGUEDOC by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |