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1886–1945

One Service Breeds Another

Thomas Burke

One of this person's white-skinned friends, Bill Hawkins, Who labours at the waterside, Had occasion, at the time of unkind weather, To rescue from the certain peril of drowning

One who had slipped from the edge of a wharf to the dock. Without reward the flower serves the bee. The mother serves the child with pain and toil. The soldier serves his king without king's gratitutde.

And this person has noted with much private amusement, How, since this one service rendered, Bill Hawkins goes ever from his accustomed path To add service to service to the one he rescued;

While the rescued one looks ever upon Bill Hawkins With eyes of no-approval, indeed, with intense disgust.

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One Service Breeds Another · Thomas Burke · Poetry Cove