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Read more poems by Robert Service: Robert Service Poems at Poetry X.

That Tom was poor was sure a pity,
      Such guts for learning had the lad;
He took to Greek like babe to titty,
      And he was mathematic mad.
I loved to prime him up with knowledge,
      A brighter lad I never knew;
I dreamed that he would go to college
      And there be honoured too.
      
But no! His Dad said, "Son, I need you
      To keep the kettle on the boil;
No longer can I clothe and feed you,
      Buy study books and midnight oil.
I carry on as best I'm able,
      A humble tailor, as you know;
And you must squat cross-legged a table
      And learn to snip and sew."

And that is what poor Tom is doing.
      He bravely makes the best of it;
But as he "fits" you he is knowing 
      That he himself is a misfit;
And thinks as he fulfils his calling,
      With patient heart yet deep distaste,
Like clippings from his shears down-falling,
                 --He, too, is Waste.

Added: 25 Mar 2002 | Last Read: 4 Sep 2026 3:33 AM | Viewed: 4500 times

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