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AN INVITATION FROM CALIFORNIA.
Aren’t you tired of protection from the weather? Of defences, guards, and shields? Aren’t you tired of the worry as to whether This year the farm land yields? Aren’t you tired of the wetness and the dryness, The dampness, and the hotness, and the cold? Of waiting on the weather man with shyness To see if the last plans hold? Aren’t you tired of the doctoring and nursing, Of the “sickly winters” and the pocket pills,— Tired of sorrowing, and burying, and cursing At Providence and undertakers’ bills? Aren’t you tired of all the threatening and doubting, The “weather-breeder” with its lovely lie; The dubiety of any sort of outing; The chip upon the shoulder of the sky? Like a beaten horse who dodges your caresses, Like a child abused who ducks before your frown, Is the northerner in our warm air that blesses— O come and live and take your elbow down! Don’t be afraid; you do not need defences; This heavenly day breeds not a stormy end; Lay down your arms! cut off your war expenses! This weather is your friend! A friendliness from earth, a joy from heaven, A peace that wins your frightened soul at length; A place where rest as well as work is given,— Rest is the food of strength.
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