IF an unkind word appears, <br />File the thing away. <br />If some novelty in jeers, <br />File the thing away. <br /> <br />If some clever little bit <br />Of a sharp and pointed wit, <br />Carrying a sting with it <br />File the thing away. <br /> <br />If some bit of gossip come, <br />File the thing away. <br />Scandalously spicy crumb, <br />File the thing away. <br /> <br />If suspicion comes to you <br />That your neighbor isn't true <br />Let me tell you what to do <br />File the thing away. <br /> <br />Do this for a little while, <br />Then go out and burn the file.<br /><br />John Kendrick Bangs<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-file/
