Poem by John Kendrick Bangs

'DON'T CARE' is no friend of mine.
I 'don't care' for him.
When he comes it is a sign
Sense is growing dim.

He is not the thing of pride
Some folks seem to think.
Folly is his constant guide,
Bread and meat and drink.

Not to care when things go wrong,
Not to care when ill
Rises up to check your song,
And your heart to chill

That were foolishness indeed
Of an arrant sort.
Nothing is too slight to heed
On the way to port.

But the sunny 'Never Mind'
He's a different wight.
Helps us when the day's inclined
Not to treat us right ;

Softens every bitter blast,
Warms us when we're cold ;
When the sky is overcast,
Keeps us blithe and bold.

Bids all sorrow go its way.
Helps us stay our tears,
And when life seems drear and gray,
Quiets all our fears.

When it comes to share and share,
I shall be resigned
If some other gets 'Don't Care'
I'll take 'Never Mind!'