if seventy were young

and death uncommon

(forgiving not devine,

to err inhuman)

or any thine mine

-dingdong : dongding-

to say would be to sing

if broken hearts were whole

and cowards heroes

(the popular the wise,

a weed a tearose)

and every minus plus

-fare ill : fare well-

a frown would be a smile

if sorrowful were gay

(today tomorrow,

doubting believing and

to lend to borrow)

or any foe a friend

-cry nay : cry yea-

november would be may

that you and i’d be quite

-come such perfection-

another i and you,

is a deduction

which(be it false or true)

disposes me to shoot

dogooding folk on sight

__

e.e. cummings