If I had hatred in my heart toward my fellow man, <br />If I were pressed to do him ill, to conjure up a plan <br />To wound him sorely and to rob his days of all their joy, <br />I'd wish his wife would go away and take their little boy. <br /> <br />I'd waste no time on curses vague, nor try to take his gold, <br />Nor seek to shatter any plan that he might dearly hold. <br />A crueler revenge than that for him I would bespeak: <br />I'd wish his wife and little one might leave him for a week. <br /> <br />I'd wish him all the loneliness that comes with loss of those <br />Who fill his life with laughter and contentment and repose. <br />I'd wish him empty rooms at night and mocking stairs to squeak <br />That neither wife nor little boy will greet him for a week. <br /> <br />If I despised my fellow man, I'd make my hatred known <br />By wishing him a week or two of living all alone; <br />I'd let him know the torture that is mine to bear to-day, <br />For Buddy and his mother now are miles and miles away.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/revenge-110/
