For the Birthday of William Dean Howells

Seventy-five glad years of blessing,And the hope of blessing more;Memories the heart caressing,Dreams that beckoning wait, before;

Life—full life, made rich by giving:Life that can create, and lendTo the poor—delight in living,To the lonely—many a friend

Wisdom that can teach through laughter—Seeming but to entertain,Or through pathos which, thereafter,Leaves no dull, regretful pain;

Years of blessing, years of kindness,And the courage that can smileThough the eyes be dim to blindnessWith a sorrow, hid the while,—

These are thine, thou selfless schemer,Chanter of brave carmina:These thy gifts to us, dear dreamer,—Traveler from Altruria.