Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VEXATION OF SPIRIT, by WALT MASON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VEXATION OF SPIRIT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: So long and earnestly I've wrought, pursued
Last Line: Learned attorney will arrive, and hook on to my wad.
Subject(s): Law & Lawyers


SO long and earnestly I've wrought, pursued the beastly grind, I've ringbones on

my dome of thought, and spavins on my mind. The ghastly fear of evil times, of
poverty when old, has kept me humping after dimes, for gold and still more gold.

I have a package put away, where none can jar it loose; and sometimes, at the
close of day, I wonder what's the use. When I have left this busy sphere, where

only man is vile, some able lawyer will appear, and gather in my pile.
Throughout this weary worldly jaunt I've skimped and saved and pared; I've done

without the things I want, the things for which I cared. To add one large round

dollar more to what I have in brine, I've made existence sad and sore, and what

reward is mine? Why do I slave and moil and grind, why do I toil and spin? I'll

have to leave my roll behind, for others to blow in. These words seem ever
ringing loud, like some decree of doom: "There is no pocket in a shroud, no
cashbox in a tomb." When I no longer am alive, but sleeping 'neath the sod, some

learned attorney will arrive, and hook on to my wad.





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