Brittle Bones.

Though I am an old man
    With my bones very brittle,
Though I am a poor old man
    Worth very little,
Yet I suck at my long pipe
    At peace in the sun,
I do not fret nor much regret
    That my work is done.

If I were a young man
    With my bones full of marrow,
Oh, if I were a bold young man
    Straight as an arrow,
And if I had the same years
    To live once again,
I would not change their simple range
    Of laughter and pain.

If I were a young man
    And young was my Lily,
A smart girl, a bold young man,
    Both of us silly.
And though from time before I knew
    She'd stab me with pain,
Though well I knew she'd not be true,
    I'd love her again.

If I were a young man
    With a brisk, healthy body,
Oh, if I were a bold young man
    With love of rum toddy,
Though I knew that I was spiting
    My old age with pain,
My happy lip would touch and sip
    Again and again.

If I were a young man
    With my bones full of marrow,
Oh, if I were a bold young man
    Straight as an arrow,
I'd store up no virtue
    For Heaven's distant plain,
I'd live at ease as I did please
    And sin once again.

Robert von Ranke Graves

Robert von Ranke Graves was a British poet, historical novelist, critic, and classicist. His father was Alfred Perceval Graves, a distinguished Irish poet and figure in the Gaelic revival. Known for his war poetry, love poems, and scholarly works, he created a lasting literary legacy, including his interpretations of the Greek myths. Graves was also a soldier in World War I, an experience that profoundly influenced his writing.

Robert von Ranke Graves

A Boy In Church

Robert von Ranke Graves, Simple Poetry

Sullen Moods

Robert von Ranke Graves, Simple Poetry

Country At War.

Robert von Ranke Graves, Simple Poetry

Rocky Acres.

Robert von Ranke Graves, Simple Poetry

English

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