NEVER TRY FOR A LAUGH AT ANOTHER'S EXPENSE - TRY TO LAUGH WITH OTHERS AND NEVER AT THEM

COACH'S
Favorite Poetry
AND PROSE

Letter to a Young Friend

I long have thought, my youthful friend,
Of something that I might send you,
Though it should serve no other end
Than just a kind memento;
But how the theme should be hung,
Let time and chance determine;
It might be a poem to be sung;
Or perhaps, turn out to be a sermon.

You will soon be facing the world, my lad,
And, Andrew, please do believe me,
You will find people a very odd squad,
And at times they will sorely grieve you:
For care and trouble, do set your thought,
When your end is not attained;
And all of your views come to naught,
When all of your nerves are strained.

Yet they who fail in fortune’s strife,
Their fate we should not censure;
Because for the important ends of life
They provide a very creditable answer:
A person may have an honest heart,
Though constantly faced with need,
Such person may take a neighbor’s part,
But have no money to feed.

Be always free with our story to tell,
When with a bosom buddy;
But always keep something to yourself,
That you would not tell to anybody;
Conceal yourself as best as you can,
From critical dissection:
But thoroughly inspect every other man
With sly and thorough inspection.

The sacred flame of well-placed love -
Luxuriantly indulge it;
But never attempt the illicit rove,
Though no one will ever divulge it;
Ignore the quantum of the sin,
Or the hazards of the concealing;
Such practice hardens the soul within,
And petrifies our feeling!

Robert Burns 

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