I used to lose my temper an' git mad an' tear around <br />An' raise my voice so wimmin folks would tremble at the sound; <br />I'd do things I was ashamed of when the fit of rage had passed, <br />An' wish I hadn't done 'em, an' regret 'em to the last; <br />But I've learned from sad experience how useless is regret, <br />For the mean things done in anger are the things you can't forget. <br /> <br />'Tain't no use to kiss the youngster once your hand has made him cry; <br />You'll recall the time you struck him till the very day you die; <br />He'll forget it an' forgive you an' to-morrow seem the same, <br />But you'll keep the hateful picture of your sorrow an' your shame, <br />An' it's bound to rise to taunt you, though you long have squared the debt, <br />For the things you've done in meanness are the things you can't forget. <br /> <br />Lord, I sometimes sit an' shudder when some scene comes back to me, <br />Which shows me big an' brutal in some act o' tyranny, <br />When some triflin' thing upset me an' I let my temper fly, <br />An' was sorry for it after- but it's vain to sit an' sigh. <br />So I'd be a whole sight happier now my sun begins to set, <br />If it wasn't for the meanness which I've done an' can't forget. <br /> <br />Now I think I've learned my lesson an' I'm treadin' gentler ways, <br />An' I try to build my mornings into happy yesterdays; <br />I don't let my temper spoil 'em in the way I used to do <br />An' let some splash of anger smear the record when it's through; <br />I want my memories pleasant, free from shame or vain regret, <br />Without any deeds of anger which I never can forget.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-deeds-of-anger/
