Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?
by Howard Moss
Who says you’re like one of the dog days?
You’re nicer. And better.
Even in May, the weather can be gray,
And a summer sublet doesn’t last forever.
Sometimes the sun’s too hot;
Sometimes it is not.
Who can stay young forever?
People break their necks or just drop dead!
But you? Never!
If there’s just one condensed reader left
Who can figure out the abridged alphabet
After you’re dead and gone,
In this poem you’ll live on!
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When in Disgrace with Fortune and Men’s Eyes
by Howard Moss
When I’m out of cash and full of shame,
And crying to beat the band, alone,
And even God doesn’t know my name,
And all I do is weep and moan,
I curse myself in the mirror,
Wishing I had a future,
Or some real pals, or was a good looker,
Or even a crazy artist, or a deep thinker!
As I said, when even the old kicks seem
tame,
And just when I hate myself the most,
I think about you. Then I’m o.k.
Just like a bird who hates the dirt
And can fly in the sky to get away.
Thinking of you is as good as money.
I’d give up royalties for you, honey.
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Against That Time, if Ever That Time Come
by Howard Moss
I hope I never live to see the day
When all you do is criticize my faults,
When maybe love’s veil is torn away
And you don’t think as much of me as you
thought.
It’s possible some day you’ll pass me by
Without so much as a nod,
When the flame is low that used to be high,
Or maybe, even, dead!
Well, to make sure, I’m staying in,
Because, to tell the truth, I have some faults,
And I’m trying to develop my good side
So I won’t have so much, on that day, to
hide.
If you threw me over, you wouldn’t be far
wrong;
Who knows why lovers, like dogies, get
along?
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