Poems (Geisse)/My Legacies

by Mary A. Geisse

MY LEGACIES.

When I read, as oft it happens,
 That some kicky millionaire,
Has just died and left a fortune
 For his relatives to share,

Then I say alas!—if only
 That old chap had known me,
If I'd had the happy fortune
 To have been his legatee.

For although I've been remembered
 By departed kith and kin,
I have never had the present
 Of a legacy of tin.

Uncle Samuel always liked me,
 Though he could not leave me wealth,
But I have the gout in memory
 Of his poor rheumatic self.

And Aunt Mary, heaven give her
 All the peace that she deserves,
Left me as a last memento
 A large legacy of nerves.

Uncle Robert was a spendthrift
 And had nothing to divide,
But his love of ease and luxury,
 And his share of family pride.

These, alas! as fate would have it,
 Was my legacy from him,
Though he often used to snub me
 As the poorest of his kin.

While my dear paternal grand-pa,
 A good man I never knew,
Left me nothing but a record
 Of the things he'd hoped to do.

Think you not I've cause to grumble
 And occasionally repine?
Can a man be always cheerful
 Who has legacies like mine?