Shapes of Clay

  “If life were not worth having,” said the preacher,
  “’T would have in suicide one pleasant feature.” 
  “An error,” said the pessimist, “you’re making: 
  What’s not worth having cannot be worth taking.”

FOR MERIT.

  To Parmentier Parisians raise
    A statue fine and large: 
  He cooked potatoes fifty ways,
    Nor ever led a charge.

  “Palmam qui meruit”—­the rest
    You knew as well as I;
  And best of all to him that best
    Of sayings will apply.

  Let meaner men the poet’s bays
    Or warrior’s medal wear;
  Who cooks potatoes fifty ways
    Shall bear the palm—­de terre.