POETRY OF SMOKE. 63 



THE OLD CLAY PIPE. 



THERE'S a lot of solid comfort 



In an old clay pipe, I find, 

 If you're kind of out of humor 



Or in trouble in your mind. 

 When you're feeling awful lonesome 



And don't know just what to do, 

 There's a heap of satisfaction 



If you smoke a pipe or two. 



The ten thousand pleasant memories 



That are buried in your soul 

 Are playing hide and seek with you 



Around that smoking bowl. 

 These are mighty restful moments ; 



You're at peace with all the world, 

 And the panorama changes 



As the thin blue smoke is curled. 



Now you cross the bridge of sorrows, 



Now you enter pleasant lands, 

 And before an open doorway 



You will linger to shake hands 

 With a lithe and girlish figure 



That is coming through the door { 

 Ah ! you recognize the features : 



You have seen that face before. 



Vou are at the dear old homestead 

 Where you spent those happy years ; 



