Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MAKING A MAN, by NIXON WATERMAN



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MAKING A MAN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hurry the baby as fast as you can
Last Line: Until he wins -- nervous prostration and death.
Alternate Author Name(s): Martin, Peter


HURRY THE BABY as fast as you can,
Hurry him, worry him, make him a man.
Off with his baby clothes, get him in pants,
Feed him on brain foods and make him advance.
Hustle him, soon as he's able to walk,
Into a grammar school; cram him with talk.
Fill his poor head full of figures and facts,
Keep on a-jamming them in till it cracks.
Once boys grew up at a rational rate,
Now we develop a man while you wait,
Rush him through college, compel him to grab
Of every known subject a dip and a dab.
Get him in business and after the cash,
All by the time he can grow a mustache.
Let him forget he was ever a boy,
Make gold his god and its jingle his joy.
Keep him a-hustling and clear out of breath,
Until he wins -- nervous prostration and death.





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