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1885–1933

MY BABY'S GARDEN

Ring Lardner

My baby has a garden, “Planted” four days ago, And nearly half his waking hours He spends among his precious flowers

With sprinkling can and hoe. My baby has a garden, And Oh, how proud he is When, yielding to his pleading, we

Lay work aside and go to see This masterpiece of his! Behold my baby's garden, Close by a rubbish pile!

Look at the sprinkling can and hoe And flowers; then tell me if you know Whether to sigh or smile. The flowers in baby's garden,

Flat on the ground they lie, Two hyacinths, a withered pair, Plucked from the pile of rubbish, where They had been left to die.

The flowers in baby's garden, “Planted” four days ago, Grow every hour a sadder sight, Weaker and sicklier, in spite

Of sprinkling can and hoe.

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MY BABY'S GARDEN · Ring Lardner · Poetry Cove