Is the house turned topsy-turvy? <br />Does it ring from street to roof? <br />Will the racket still continue, <br />Spite of all your mild reproof? <br />Are you often in a flutter? <br />Are you sometimes thrilled with joy? <br />Then I have my grave suspicions <br />That you have at home--that Boy. <br /> <br />Are your walls and tables hammered? <br />Are your nerves and ink upset? <br />Have two eyes, so bright and roguish, <br />Made you every care forget? <br />Have your garden beds a prowler, <br />Who delights but to destroy? <br />These are well-known indications <br />That you have at home--that Boy. <br /> <br />Have you seen him playing circus <br />With his head upon the mat, <br />And his heels in mid-arm twinkling-- <br />For his audience, the cat? <br />Do you ever stop to listen, <br />When his merry planks annoy,-- <br />Listen to a voice that whispers, <br />You were once just like--that Boy? <br /> <br />Have you heard of broken windows, <br />And with nobody to blame? <br />Have you seen a trousered urchin <br />Quite unconscious of the same? <br />Do you love a teasing mixture <br />Of perplexity and joy? <br />You may have a dozen daughters, <br />But I know you've got--that Boy.<br /><br />Anonymous Americas<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/that-boy-16/
