Nearly A Sinecure

A poem by Ringgold Wilmer Lardner

"I'm going to the office."
So says my youngster, and
Gets on the train to take him there
(The train's the sofa or a chair,
Whichever's near at hand.)

"Now I am to the office.
I'm working now," says he,
And just continues standing there
On that same lounge or that same chair,
As idle as can be.

Perhaps four seconds after
He first got on his train,
I see him getting off once more.
He steps or falls onto the floor
And says, "I'm home again."

I don't know what they pay him,
Nor where the office is.
The nature of the boy's posish
I've never learned - but how I wish
I had that job of his!