THE LAND OF PRETTY SOON
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“I know a land where the streets are paved
With things we meant to achieve;
Walled with money we meant to have saved
And the pleasures for which we grieve,
Kind words unspoken, promises broken,
And many a coveted boon
Are gathered there in that land somewhere,
The Land of Pretty Soon.”
“There uncut jewels of possible fame
Are lying about in the dust,
And many a noble and lofty aim
Are covered with mold and rust.
And, oh, this place, while it seems so near,
Is farther away than the moon;
Though purpose is fair, we’ll not get there—
To the Land of Pretty Soon.”
“The road that leads to that mystic land
Is strewn with pitiful wrecks,
The ships that sailed for its shining strand
Bear skeletons on their decks.
It’s farther at noon than it was at dawn,
And farther at night than noon;
Oh, let us beware of that land down there
The Land of Pretty Soon.”