﻿THE BY-PRODUCT
Watch your turn – – Who’s Next?
BY T-BONE SLIM

As you are, lad, so once was I–
I, too, did wipe the glasses dry;
As I am now, so you shall corme–
Some day you, too, shall he a bum.

Not many juveniles escape
The sad estate of this poor skate;
Not many fossils at my age 
Survive the system’s brutal rage.

I, too, was wise when of your size– –
Disdained to think or organize,
And made of one good, kindly me
A vassal to the powers that be.

As I am now, so you shall be – –
Subservient to necessiyy;
But while my lot is easy had,
I never can be like you, lad.

For one can ne’er regain his youth
And nurse an aching wisdom tooth;
As once did I, as you do now– –
A dunce foredoomed to scrape and bow.