Martin

When I am tired of earnest men,
    Intense and keen and sharp and clever,
Pursuing fame with brush or pen
    Or counting metal disks forever,
Then from the halls of Shadowland
    Beyond the trackless purple sea
Old Martin's ghost comes back to stand
    Beside my desk and talk to me.

Still on his delicate pale face
    A quizzical thin smile is showing,
His cheeks are wrinkled like fine lace,
    His kind blue eyes are gay and glowing.
He wears a brilliant-hued cravat,
    A suit to match his soft grey hair,
A rakish stick, a knowing hat,
    A manner blithe and debonair.

How good that he who always knew
    That being lovely was a duty,
Should have gold halls to wander through
    And should himself inhabit beauty.
How like his old unselfish way
    To leave those halls of splendid mirth
And comfort those condemned to stay
    Upon the dull and sombre earth.

Some people ask:    "What cruel chance
    Made Martin's life so sad a story?"
Martin?    Why, he exhaled romance,
    And wore an overcoat of glory.
A fleck of sunlight in the street,
    A horse, a book, a girl who smiled,
Such visions made each moment sweet
    For this receptive ancient child.

Because it was old Martin's lot
    To be, not make, a decoration,
Shall we then scorn him, having not
    His genius of appreciation?
Rich joy and love he got and gave;
    His heart was merry as his dress;
Pile laurel wreaths upon his grave
    Who did not gain, but was, success!