“Don’t You See?”

The boy who at the corner stands
With open mouth and listless air,
Who in his pockets thrusts his hands,
And shows no signs of thought or care,
Who idly dreams—who rarely works
Who needful task or duty shirks;
Though kind in manners he may be,
There’s much that’s lacking— don’t you see?
The boy who will neglect his book
For game of chance, or bat and ball,
For gun and dog, or rod and hook,
Or for a dance— for one or all
Will find he’s made a grand mistake.
Can games the place of knowledge take?
When on the top round he would be
He’ll find he’s lacking— don’t you see?
The boy who smokes a cigarette,
Or drinks with friends a social glass,
Is forming habits to regret,
Whose ills all other ills surpass.
Though solid rock is near at hand,
That boy is building on the sand.
With scoffing mates and boisterous glee,
His course is downward— don’t you see?
Build thou to last— on solid rock,
Give thought and care; build broad and deep,
Then, tempest wild, with rudest shock,
Shall harmlessly around thee sweep.
With knowledge gained, and purpose grand,
All good will be at thy command.
Many thy helper, God thy friend,
Thy life a joy, will never end.