Living

What's the Use

by Paul Laurence Dunbar 1872–1906

Living

What's the use o' folks a-frownin'
When the way's a little rough?
Frowns lay out the road fur smilin'
You'll be wrinkled soon enough.
What's the use?

What's the use o' folks a-sighin'?
It's an awful waste o' breath,
An' a body can't stand wastin'
What he needs so bad in death.
What's the use?

What's the use o' even weepin'?
Might as well go long an' smile.
Life, our longest, strongest arrow,
Only lasts a little while.
What's the use?

MLA

Dunbar, Paul Laurence. “What's the Use.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/paul-laurence-dunbar/349/.

Chicago

Dunbar, Paul Laurence. “What's the Use.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/paul-laurence-dunbar/349/.

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