Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LIVELIHOOD: PROEM, by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LIVELIHOOD: PROEM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Audrey, these men and women I have known
Last Line: In old incredible days before your birth.
Subject(s): Fathers & Daughters


Audrey, these men and women I have known
I have brought together in a book for you,
So that my child some day when she is grown
May know the friendly folk her father knew.

Wondering how fathers can be so absurd,
Perhaps you'll take it idly from the shelves,
And, reading, hear, as once I overheard,
These men and women talking to themselves.

And so find out how they faced life and earned,
As you one day must earn, a livelihood,
And how, in spite of everything, they learned
To take their luck through life and find it good.

And, maybe, as you share each hope and fear
And all the secrets that they never told,
For their sake you'll forgive your father, dear,
Almost, for being so absurd and old.

And may it somewhat help to make amends
To think that, in their sorrow and their mirth,
Such men and women were your father's friends
In old incredible days before your birth.





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