Man in shower  
 
HOT WATER
 
 
Gently, while the drenching dribble
Courses down my sweltered form,
I am basking like a sybil,
Lazy, languorous and warm.
I am unambitious, flaccid,
Well content to drowse and dream:
How I hate life's bitter acid—
Leave me here to stew and steam.
Underneath this jet so torrid
I forget the world's sad wrath:
O activity is horrid!
Leave me in my shower-bath!
 
 
COLD WATER
 
 
But when I turn the crank
O Zeus!
A silver ecstasy thrills me!
I caper and slap my chilled thighs,
I plan to make a card index of all my ideas
And feel like an efficiency expert.
I tweak Fate by the nose
And know I could succeed in anything.
I throw up my head
And glut myself with icy splatter...
To-day I will really
Begin my career!
 
 
ON DEDICATING A NEW TEAPOT
 
 
Boiling water now is poured,
Pouches filled with fresh tobacco,
Round the hospitable board
Fragrant steams Ceylon or Pekoe.
 
Bread and butter is cut thin,
Cream and sugar, yes, bring them on;
Ginger cookies in their tin,
And the dainty slice of lemon.
 
Let the marmalade be brought,
Buns of cinnamon adhesive;
An............