The Broken Life...

Oh! Could I learn indifference

From all I hear and see;

Nor think, nor care, for others, more,,,

Than they may care for me!

Why follow thus, with vain regret,

To serve a broken claim;

If others can so soon forget,

Why should not I the same?

There is no blight that winter throws,

No frost, however stern,

Like that which chilled affection knows—

Which hearts, forsaken, learn!

Oh! there's no winter for the heart

Like that unkindness sends!

(Partly chosen poem, credit goes to Charles Swain)