A TRADESMAN AND A POET

by
Max Ehrmann

Copyright 1954 by Bertha K. Ehrmann

"Do these things pay - these poems that you write?"
"Oh! yes, so much I am almost ashamed
Of my reward, so very great it is."
"Then tell me why you are so poorly dressed?"
"I did not know I was poorly dressed."
"Indeed you are. And think of how you live.
You should have blooming gardens, houses grand,
If your reward is great as you have said.
I understand you live in three small rooms."
"And that is two too many, I'm afraid."
"You do not travel. Do you travel, Sir?"
"Oh! yes, I go each week into the woods,
And often sit upon the river bank."
"You are not loved by any woman, sir;
And have you any children of your own?"
"I love all women, every child is mine."
"Come, come, these poems do not pay, I know."
"Oh! yes, they pay me very well, indeed."
"Then what have you been doing with the pay
Received? Have you some secret investments?"
"Oh! that is very different. Oh, yes!"