Setting The Woods On Fire

Hank Williams: Setting the Woods on Fire



since it can never
be too late
to change your life,
or else renew it,
let the unpleasant process wait
until you are compelled to do it.
the State provides
(and gratis too)
establishments for
such as you.

remember this,
and pluck up heart,
that, be you
publican or parson,
your every art
must have a start,
from petty larceny to arson.
and even in the burglar's trade,
the cracksman is not born,
but made.

so, if in your career of crime,
you fail to carry out some "coup",
then try again a second time,
and yet again, until you do;
and don't despair,
or fear the worst,
because you get
found out at first.

perhaps the battle will not go,
on all occasions,
to the strongest.
you may be fairly certain though
that he laughs last
who laughs the longest.
so keep a good
reserve of laughter,
which may be found
of use hereafter.

believe me that,
however well meant,
a good resolve is always brief.
don't let your precious hours
be spent
in turning over a new leaf.
such leaves,
like nature's, soon decay,
and then are only in the way.

the road to--well,
a certain spot,
(a road of very
fair dimensions),
has, so the proverb
tells us, got
a parquet-floor
of good intentions.
take care, in your
desire to please,
you do not
add a brick to these.

for there may come
a moment when
you shall be mended
willy-nilly,
with many more misguided men,
whose skill is undermined with skilly.
until then procrastinate, my friend.
"it never is too late to mend!”

--harry graham
(from perverted proverbs: a manual of immorals for the many)