Paul Laurence Dunbar, "The Debt" (1902)
Just for one riotous day,
Years of regret and grief,
Sorrow without relief.
Pay it I will to the end--
Until the grave, my friend,
Gives me a true release--
Gives me the clasp of peace.
Slight was the thing I bought,
Small was the debt I thought,
Poor was the loan at best--
God! but the interest!
Published in Lyrics of Love and Laughter (1902)
Also printed in Caroling Dusk (1927)