XCV: The Club, and XCVI: Raspberries

Have you been to that new place down the street?

I've heard it's got a thousand things to try.

You might play games, or have something to eat--

if someone says they're lacking, that's a lie.

I saw a man go in there once, to read,

saw fishermen refresh their fishing hooks,

saw sick and sad supplant their every need,

and handymen fill up their schedule books.

I say, why not take stakes and move inside?

The closer to the feast, the better, no?

I'd lend a hand, if all things they'd provide!

It's not for want of work that I don't go!

But no, you're not allowed within to join

unless you bring the jingling of coin.

~~~

I never really loved raspberry sweets,

but once, I went to see a berry farm;

and there, my friend and I enjoyed their treats,

and so I understood the berry’s charm.

And that was when I started to recall

how much my brother loved the little fruit.

At once I set to seek for one an all

the sources of the red raspberry loot.

Our father had a stash down in his den—

he also had our grandma’s homemade jam.

I slowly stole a trifle now and then

a worthy cause with which my soul to damn.

I never really loved raspberry sweets.

Beside the love the little fruit entreats,