Praise Is Warming And Desirable. But It

Meanness Inherits A Set Of Silverware And Keeps It In The Bank. Economy Uses It Only On Important Occasions, For Fear Of Loss. Thrift Sets The Table With It Every Night For Pure Pleasure, But Counts The Butter Spreaders Before They Are Put Away.

Oh, Princes Thrive On Caviar, The Poor On Whey And Curds, / And Politicians, I Infer, Must Eat Their Windy Words. / It's Crusts That Feed The Virtuous, It's Cake That Comforts Sinners, / But Writers Live On Bread And Praise At Literary Dinners.

Gossip Isn't Scandal And It's Not Merely Malicious. It's Chatter About The Human Race By Lovers Of The Same.

Shunning The Upstart Shower, / The Cold And Cursory Scrub, / I Celebrate The Power / That Lies Within The Tub.

Sons Do Not Need You. They Are Always Out Of Your Reach, Walking Strange Waters.