Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
Nov. 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910

“Man is the only
“Animal that blushes. Or
“Needs to,” writes Mark Twain.

Few saw so clearly
Or captured so tellingly
Man’s lasting folly

Yet each of us knows
Someone wise, trenchant, witty
Who keeps us in line

A spouse or a friend
A comic or songwriter
A compass and muse

Garrison Keillor,
Neil Young or Bob Walkenhorst
Fill in your own blank

They’re still pointing out
Our glories, absurdities
So rest easy, Sam