In youth I longed to paint
The loveliness I saw;
And yet by dire constraint
I had to study Law.
But now all that is past,
And I have no regret,
For I am free at last
Law to forget.
To beauty newly born
With brush and tube I play;
And though my daubs you scorn,
I’ll learn to paint some day.
When I am eighty old,
Maybe I’ll better them,
And you may yet behold
A gem.
Old Renoir used to paint,
Brush strapped to palsied hand;
His fervour of a saint
How I can understand.
My joy is my reward,
And though you gently smile,
Grant me to fumble, Lord,
A little while!
(Robert William Service)
More Poetry from Robert William Service:
Robert William Service Poems based on Topics: Joy & Excitement, Smiling, Law & Regulation, Past- Fighting Mac (Robert William Service Poems)
- If You Had The Choice Of Two Women To Wed (Robert William Service Poems)
- (The sunshine seeks my little room) (Robert William Service Poems)
- Jaloppy Joy (Robert William Service Poems)
- Henry (Robert William Service Poems)
- My Prisoner (Robert William Service Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Joy & Excitement Poems, Smiling Poems, Past Poems, Law & Regulation PoemsBased on Keywords: strapped, constraint, fumble, daubs, renoir