Ducky Daddles, Ducky Daddles, Why it is I do not know You and I and Tommy Traddles Ever older had to grow. You, at least, should both forever Stay as when I knew you first; He should not the school charm sever You should please and tease as erst. Such a noodle Tommy makes him— Self in judge's wig sedate! Who cares now what torment takes him?— But his skeletons were great! And the canings Creakle gave him Made him friends by many a score, But nobody wants to have him 'Neath his pillow any more. Why? Because he isn't Traddles Any longer. Don't you see? And too, dear Ducky Daddles,— But I will not hateful be. You and I croquet were playing Only several (?) summers back. Now, grave nonsense you are saying, In the parlor, you and Jack. Only think about it, Ducky, I am used to being told, I'm a gray-beard (how unlucky!) But you need not be so old. Do not hurry life a minute, 'Tis a race you can't refuse; Though today you long to win it, Bye and bye you'd rather lose. Though my heart your wiles have plundered I must always call you friend; Though my years become a hundred You are "Ducky" to the end. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GROWN-UP TALK by KATHERINE MANSFIELD MARSHALL WASHER by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE WAR THAT ISN'T WHAT YOU THINK by JAMES GALVIN THE COLOR SERGEANT by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON OLD OSAWATOMIE by CARL SANDBURG ESSAY: AT NIGHT THE AUTOPORTRAIT AT NIGHT by ELENI SIKELIANOS |