To You About Me

I walked along the road of life;
‘Twas strewn with souls both good and rife.
My path had been both straight and sure.
By good example, made more sure.

Now came a turning in that road,
It grew more rough and widened more.
I left my home—no guiding hand
No voice to tell me where to stand.

I traveled North in search of Strength.
I sallied South more truths to learn.
I meandered toward the setting sun,
To get the gold to help me on.

Now I’m working, wishing, hoping
Thinking I may get some good
From the school which was my choice,
And thereupon my life make sure.

In this quest I wonder often,
If my foot may slip unnoted
Into untruth or disaster
Or be content with nothing noted.

My quest was started with a full vim.
I studied hard, then I grew thin.
I thought I loved a girl—then near.
But later learned—she was no dear.

My second year I started grim,
To fight off every little whim.
My work was good, but lacked the vim
Which sets it off is right good trim.

In the third year I settled down
And made my schoolwork fairly hum.
But life seemed empty—What! No goal?
I was traveling fast—but where?

A party, a dance, a friendly word.
She came like morning fresh and sweet.
Strangers?—Sure—but thoughts alike,
We found companionship discreet.

The days passed on. I saw her often.
First a tango, then poor excuses,
To get to see her I used ruses.
She hurt me once, ‘twas soon forgotten.
And I found her sweet; enthralling.

Now I’ve found a goal in life.
Instilled by thoughts she says so freely.
And if I heed their gentle warning
I hope to find my child of “Morning”.

Ellsworth Clark
13 June 1932
This is my very first attempt at poetry. I know it does not rhyme, and the meter is wrong in places, but well, don’t show it to anybody. It just happened to be the way I felt a little while ago. It seems good to get back to my typewriter.
–Ellsworth