Lali

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  While the summer day is hot
  You and I will loaf awhile,
  Lolling in a leafy spot,
  Lali of the cunning smile.

  You and I have little care
  How the “precious moments” pass
  While we snuff the drowsy air
  Rich in fragrance of the grass.

  Stupid people boom or squeal
  Lessons drawn from daily strife;
  “Time,” they cry, “is on the wheel;
  Death puts out the gas of life.

  Imitate the prudent ant,
  Labour like the busy bee.”
  O the everlasting cant!
  Loafing’s good for you and me.

  Here we watch the ants that haul
  Loads by weary jungle ways!
  If they like it, let them crawl
  Laden through the heavy blaze.

  We’ve no time for moral tags;
  We can hear a sleepy sound
  With his yellow tucker-bags
  Brother Bee is bumming round.

  Little souls are vexed to see
  How their hours of toil decrease:
  Floating dreams for you and me,
  Lazy joy in starry peace.

© John Le Gay Brereton