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1872–1906

LIFE

Paul Laurence Dunbar

A crust of bread and a corner to sleep in, A minute to smile and an hour to weep in, A pint of joy to a peck of trouble, And never a laugh but the moans come double;

And that is life! A crust and a corner that love makes precious, With a smile to warm and the tears to refresh us; And joy seems sweeter when cares come after,

And a moan is the finest of foils for laughter; And that is life!

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LIFE · Paul Laurence Dunbar · Poetry Cove