Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RICHES, by BERTON BRALEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RICHES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It's a pretty good world when I figure it up and balance the profit and loss
Last Line: The love of a woman, the faith of a friend, and the smoke of a good cigar.
Subject(s): Fate; Wealth; Destiny; Riches; Fortunes


It's a pretty good world when I figure it up and balance the profit and loss.
At least it's the best in the way of a world that I can say I've run across.
There's a good deal of sunshine that follows the rain, a good deal of light
follows dark,
And a good many goodly descendants of those whom Noah brought out of the Ark.
There is fighting and fun to suit every one's taste if they aren't too
particular folks,
And I'll say in my time I have heard some brave tales and laughed at some
excellent jokes;
But of all that life offers, three things are the best, the choicest and finest
by far,
The love of a woman, the faith of a friend, and the smoke of a good cigar.

Oh, gold's a possession that's pleasant to get and pleasant to spend and to
hold,
And fame is a glorious guerdon to win, a thing to be praised and extolled,
But glory and gold without friendship or love are husks that are withered and
brown,
While friendship and love get along very well without either wealth or renown.
So I bow to the fates as I puff on my weed, to destiny's word I salaam,
For though I'm undoubtedly poor and obscure, I do very well as I am,
For I have what I know are the best things of life, the best of all riches there
are,
The love of a woman, the faith of a friend, and the smoke of a good cigar.





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