Although you deem it far from nice… And it perchance may hurt you, Let me suggest that cowardice Can masquerade as virtue; And many a maid remains a maid

My Father Christmas passed away When I was barely seven. At twenty—one, alack—a—day, I lost my hope of heaven. Yet not in either lies the curse:

“Give me my daily bread. It seems so odd, When all is done and said, This plea to God. To pray for cake might be

Of twin daughters I’m the mother… Lord! how I was proud of them; Each the image of the other, Like two lilies on one stem; But while May, my first—born daug…

My boy’s come back; he’s here at l… He came home on a special train. My longing and my ache are past, My only son is back again. He’s home with music, flags and fl…

Just Home and Love! the words are… Four little letters unto each; And yet you will not find in all The wide and gracious range of spe… Two more so tenderly complete:

You’ve heard of “Casey at The Ba… And “Casey’s Tabble Dote”; But now it’s time To write a rhyme Of “Casey’s Billy—goat.”

You’ve heard of Violet de Vere, s… Whose sitting—base out—faired the… Well, she was haled before the Be… Which signifies araisin’ Cain, an… So there she stood before the Cou…

In the dark and damp of the alley… Lay the Christmas tree that hadn’… By a shopman dourly thrown outside… With the ruck and rubble of Chris… Trodden deep in the muck and mire,

Is it not strange? A year ago to—… With scarce a thought beyond the h… I did my decent job and earned my… Was averagely happy, I’ll be boun… Ay, in my little groove I was con…

My brother Tim has children ten, While I have none. Maybe that’s why he’s toiling when To ease I’ve won. But though I would some of his br…

“Hae ye heard whit ma auld mither’… It fair maks me hamesick,” says P… “And whit did she send ye?” says… As he cockit his rifle and bleezed… “A haggis! A Haggis!” says Priva…

I look into the aching womb of nig… I look across the mist that masks… The moon is tired and gives but li… The stars have gone to bed. The earth is sick and seems to bre…

Six bulls I saw as black as jet, With crimsoned horns and amber eye… That chewed their cud without a fr… And swished to brush away the flie… Unwitting their soon sacrifice.

What I seek far yet seldom find Is large simplicity of mind In fellow men; For I have sprouted from the sod, Like Bobbie Burns, my earthly god…