Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THEN LAUGH by BERTHA ADAMS BACKUS

First Line: BUILD FOR YOURSELF A STRONG-BOX
Last Line: THEN SIT ON THE LID AND LAUGH.
Subject(s): HOPE; OPTIMISM;

BUILD FOR YOURSELF a strong box,
Fashion each part with care;
When it's strong as your hand can make it,
Put all your troubles there;
Hide there all thought of your failures,
And each bitter cup that you quaff;
Lock all your heartaches within it,
Then sit on the lid and laugh.

Tell no one else its contents,
Never its secrets share;
When you've dropped in your care and worry
Keep them forever there;
Hide them from sight so completely
That the world will never dream half;
Fasten the strong box securely --
Then sit on the lid and laugh.



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