George Franklin Proctor, "Bewildered" (1927)
By George Franklin Proctor
When I was very young
Before I'd seen so much of life:
Or sought my spurs
Felt a lash
Or known a scar
I heard the wise men
Of the street say,
"One who has no luck at cards
Has luck at love
And visa versa."
But I have tried cards
Have played at love–
Sans fortune at either
For I have only won
At throwing dice;
Of which the wise men
Of the street said, nothing.
Published in The Messenger, January 1927