with apologies to A.E. Housman

On Cayuga Lake our school's in trouble;
in flocks and droves her students leave.
Of course, when fees and levies double
some pay the price, and some must grieve.

Tuition now at Wells is higher
than at any state or county school.
The courses are refiner's fire.
A third of freshmen lost's the rule.

Oh, 'twas before my time, a student
across the restless lake would gaze;
God only knows what that young girl meant--
now our school's in co-ed days.

Then, the sycamore would shiver
as winds from off the lake blew high.
Oh, from destruction Wells deliver!
So pled the maiden, so plead I.

It's not the men who brought the trouble,
it's not the fault of faculty.
Administration's caused this rubble!
Will Wells survive? We'll have to see.

the beast

I have become a civilized creature again.
The beast within my breast has curled up to sleep.
I never thought I'd regain my senses when
being near you was all that could keep
me happy-- or not happy, but as close as I got.
Congratulations. Now we're both free
from these shackles my stupid heart wrought.
My smiles are not your responsibility--
not that you ever claimed they were,
not that this beast laid its claws into you,
not that you heard its roar. I prefer
to be the only one it almost slew.
I love you still, but with a love that is sedate.
The beast has given up. For you, I'll wait.