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Wit and Humor of America, The Vol 06

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<h2>MY FIRST CIGAR</h2> <h3>BY ROBERT J. BURDETTE</h3> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> 'Twas just behind the woodshed, One glorious summer day, Far o'er the hills the sinking sun Pursued his westward way; And in my safe seclusion Removed from all the jar And din of earth's confusion I smoked my first cigar. </div> <div class="stanza"> It was my first cigar! It was the worst cigar! Raw, green and dank, hide-bound and rank It was my first cigar! </div> <div class="stanza"> Ah, bright the boyish fancies Wrapped in the smoke-wreaths blue; My eyes grew dim, my head was light, The woodshed round me flew! Dark night closed in around me— Black night, without a star— Grim death methought had found me And spoiled my first cigar. </div> <div class="stanza"> It was my first cigar! A six-for-five cigar! No viler torch the air could scorch— It was my first cigar! </div> <div class="stanza"> All pallid was my beaded brow, The reeling night was late, My startled mother cried in fear, "My child, what have you ate?" I heard my father's smothered laugh, It seemed so strange and far, I knew he knew I knew he knew I'd smoked my first cigar! </div> <div class="stanza"> It was my first cigar! A give-away cigar! I could not die—I knew not why— It was my first cigar! </div> <div class="stanza"> Since then I've stood in reckless ways, I've dared what men can dare, I've mocked at danger, walked with death, I've laughed at pain and care. I do not dread what may befall 'Neath my malignant star, No frowning fate again can make Me smoke my first cigar. </div> <div class="stanza"> I've smoked my first cigar! My first and worst cigar! Fate has no terrors for the man Who's smoked his first cigar! </div> </div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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