And see through eyes a trifle dim,

The mother of the long ago

Who daily spent her strength for him.

[Pg 22]

[Pg 22]

PLAYING FOR KEEPS

I've watched him change from his bibs and things, from bonnets known as "cute,"

To little frocks, and later on I saw him don a suit;

And though it was of calico, those knickers gave him joy,

Until the day we all agreed 'twas time for corduroy.

I say I've seen the changes come, it seems with bounds and leaps,

But here's another just arrived—he's playing mibs for keeps!

The guide posts of his life fly by. The boy that is to-day,

To-morrow morning we may wake to find has gone away,

And in his place will be a lad we've never known before,

Older and wiser in his ways, and filled with new-found lore.

Now here's another boy to-day, counting his marble heaps

And proudly boasting to his dad he's playing mibs for keeps!

His mother doesn't like this change. She says it is a shame—

That since he plays with larger boys, he's bound to lose the game.

 Prev. P 19/85 next