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“How shall I win success in life?” the young man asked, whereat:
“Have push,” replied the Button; “And a purr-puss” said the Cat.
“Find out the work you’re sooted for,” the Chimney-Sweeper said,
Just as the Match and Pin remarked: “And never lose your head.”
“Aspire to grater, finer things,” the Nutmeg cried. The Hoe
Said: “Don’t fly off the handle,” and the Snail remarked: “Go slow.”
“Be deaf to all that’s told you,” said the Adder. “’Mid the strife
I’ve found it best,” remarked the Heart, “to beat my way through life.”
“Select some proper task and then stick to it,” said the Glue.
“Look pleasant,” said the Camera; “And tied-y,” said the Shoe.
“Have nerve!” exclaimed the Tooth. The Hill remarked; “Put up a bluff!”
“And keep cool,” said the Ice, whereat the young man cried: “Enough!”
From Boy Wanted (McClelland & Goodchild, 1906).
This poem is now in the public domain.
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Nixon Waterman (1859 - 1944) was an American journalist and poet. He lived on a farm in Iowa for the first twenty years of his life, teaching school during the winter months. He began his newspaper career at the age of 21 and, in the course of his career,
worked for newspapers in Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Omaha. His columns were hugely popular because, as one reviewer put it, "Mr. Waterman writes for the common folk...He teaches the philosophy of garnering sunshine and his religion is the gospel of
brotherly love and kindness."
 
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