Author: Henry Lawson

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    So the days of my tramping are over,
    And the days of my riding are done,
    Im about as content as a rover
    Will ever be under the sun;
    I write, after reading your letter,
    My pipe with old memories rife,
    And I feel in a mood that had better
    Not meet the true eyes of the wife.

    You must never admit a suggestion
    That old things are good to recall;
    You must never consider the question:
    Was I happier then, after all?
    You must banish the old hope and sorrow
    That make the sad pleasures of life,
    You must live for To-day and To-morrow
    If you want to be just to the wife.

    I have changed since the first day I kissed her.
    Which is due, Heaven bless her!, to her;
    Im respected and trusted, Im Mister,
    Addressed by the children as Sir.
    And I feel the respect without feigning,
    But youd laugh the great laugh of your life
    If you only saw me entertaining
    An old lady friend of the wife.

    By-the-way, when youre writing, remember
    That you never went drinking with me,
    And forget our last night of December,
    Lest our sevral accounts disagree.
    And, for my sake, old man, you had better
    Avoid the old language of strife,
    For the technical terms of your letter
    May be misunderstood by the wife.

    Never hint of the girls appertaining
    To the past (when youre writing again),
    For they take such a lot of explaining,
    And you know how I hate to explain.
    There are some things, we know to our sorrow,
    That cut to the heart like a knife,
    And your past is To-day and To-morrow
    If you want to be true to the wife.

    I believe that the creed we were chums in
    Was grand, but too abstract and bold,
    And the knowledge of life only comes in
    When youre married and fathered and old.
    And its well. You may travel as few men,
    You may stick to a mistress for life;
    But the world, as it is, born of woman
    Must be seen through the eyes of the wife.

    No doubt you are dreaming as I did
    And going the careless old pace,
    While my future grows dull and decided,
    And the world narrows down to the Place.
    Let it be. If my treasons resented,
    You may do worse, old man, in your life;
    Let me dream, too, that I am contented,
    For the sake of a true little wife.

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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a reflective, nostalgic exploration of the transition from a carefree, youthful existence to a more mature, settled life. Its themes include the passage of time, the constraints and comforts of domesticity, and the tension between past and present, all framed within the context of a conversation between the speaker and an old friend.

The poem is structured in seven stanzas, each with a consistent rhyming scheme that lends a rhythmic, song-like quality to the verse. The speaker's tone is candid, reflective, and somewhat wistful, yet also tinged with humor and affection. This is particularly apparent in lines that acknowledge the speaker's changed status and the pleasures and challenges of married life, such as, "And I feel the respect without feigning, / But you’d laugh the great laugh of your life / If you only saw me entertaining / An old lady friend of the wife."

The use of direct address engages the reader and creates a sense of intimacy, as if we are privy to a private conversation. Meanwhile, the repeated phrases "the wife" and "old man" serve as both endearing and distancing devices, highlighting the shift in the speaker's relationships and identity.

Overall, this poem effectively uses structure, tone, and language to convey a thoughtful and poignant exploration of life's changes, refracted through the lens of personal relationships and individual growth.