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SHIELD OF LAUGHTER, by                    
First Line: If death became my laughter's early doom
Last Line: If mirth should fail, I'd be no longer I.


If death became my laughter's early doom
And I were left to live and feel no mirth,
I could not armorless confront the gloom
And would no longer be of use on earth.
But bearing a shield of merriment I go
In tune to music surging through the heart,
In readiness to meet a friend or foe.
Aware that soon gay youth from me will part,
The days and years too quickly pass away,
And I must tread the shore that all would shun
And wait the coming tide, yet still I pray
To keep of all my youthful weapons, one.
Let me be armed with laughter till I die.
If mirth should fail, I'd be no longer I.





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