To Mrs B--. - A poem by Frederick J. Atwood

To Mrs. B^__

Acknowledging a New Year's Gift.
"The cup that cheers" I had eschewed,
And Mocha's fumes no longer bound;
The kitchen pump, tho old and rude,
Supplied the nectar nature found ,.,,.

I was content with simple food,
And cistern water filled the measure
Of my desire for liquid good;
'T was ample gastronomic pleasure.

I thought with pride how wise I was,
And hugged myself, philosophizing
On myriad ills that have their rise
In things not good, tho appetizing.

My logic was complete and trite,
You couldn't move me with a hawser;
Yet my resolves all took to flight
When I beheld this cup and saucer!

And when from out this China ware
I drink the herb of China's growing,
I'll fancy that the fragrant air
From violet-covered fields is blowing,

And in my heart I '11 surely bless
The kindly thought that led the giver
To thus so happily express,
"Bon voyage on Time's turbid river !"

^__Frederick J. Atwood .

To Mrs. B__

To Mrs. B^__