Visit From Young Gloom

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h3><SPAN name="A_VISIT_FROM_YOUNG_GLOOM" id="A_VISIT_FROM_YOUNG_GLOOM"></SPAN>A VISIT FROM YOUNG GLOOM</h3> <div class="cpoem"> <p>There's been a young stranger at our house,<br/> A baby whom nobody knew;<br/> Who hated his brother, his father, his mother,<br/> And made them aware of it, too.<br/> <br/> He stayed with us nearly a fortnight<br/> And carried a grouch all the while,<br/> Nor promise nor present could make him look pleasant;<br/> He hadn't the power to smile.<br/> <br/> He cried when he couldn't have something;<br/> He cried just as hard when he could;<br/> Kind words by the earful but made him more tearful,<br/> And scoldings did just as much good.<br/> <br/> He stormed when his meals weren't ready,<br/> And when they <i>were</i> ready, he screamed.<br/> He went to bed growling, got up again howling<br/> And quarreled and snarled as he dreamed.<br/> <br/> He's gone, and the child we are fond of<br/> Is back, just as nice as of old.<br/> But I hope to be in some port European<br/> The next time he has a bad cold.<br/></p> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />