Father drank himself to death,-- <br /> Quite enjoyed it. <br />Urged to draw a sober breath <br /> He'd avoid it. <br />'Save your sympathy,' said Dad; <br /> 'Never sought it. <br />Hob-nail liver, gay and glad, <br /> Sure,--I bought it.' <br /> <br />Uncle made a heap of dough, <br /> Ponies playing. <br />'Easy come and easy go,' <br /> Was his saying. <br />Though he died in poverty <br /> Fit he thought it, <br />Grinning with philosophy: <br /> 'Guess I bought it.' <br /> <br />Auntie took the way of sin, <br /> Seeking pleasure; <br />Lovers came, her heart to win, <br /> Bringing treasure. <br />Sickness smote,--with lips that bled <br /> Brave she fought it; <br />Smiling on her dying bed: <br /> 'Dears, I bought it.' <br /> <br />My decades of life are run, <br /> Eight precisely; <br />Yet I've lost a lot of fun <br /> Living wisely. <br />Too much piety don't pay, <br /> Time has taught it; <br />Hadn't guts to go astray; <br />Life's a bloody bore today,-- <br /> Well, I've bought it.<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-buyers/
