--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - L. L. Greene Richards collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 5 number: 5 published: 1902-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'L. L. Greene Richards, "Sowing Wild Oats. A Poem," *Improvement Era* 5, no. 5 (March 1902): 381–382.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0505unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0505unse start_page: 381 end_page: 382 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1902-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0505unse publication_year: 1902 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1902, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Sowing Wild Oats. A Poem 'SOWING WILD OATS." BY L. L. GREENE RICHARDS. Yes, boys, you are young, and you have a just right To live lives of freedom and ceaseless delight; No one should hamper your glad, happy ways, Nor darken, with care-clouds, your bright, sunny days. Good laughter, a healthy condition promotes; So, have your own fun, boys, and "sow your wild oats." 382 IMPROVEMENT ERA. But, while you are passing thus gaily along, Remember, dear boys, you've no right to do wrong. Don't place yourselves subject to shame or distrust, By being unyielding, rash, vain and unjust; Don't swindle each other in exchange of coats, Nor swear, drink nor gamble, while sowing wild oats. Speak not of "The Gov'nor," "Old Man," or such— And your mother! — you cannot respect her too much; Sin not 'gainst your elders by action or tongue, But think — if you live, you'll not always be young; Down the swift tide of time, each unconsciously floats, So, be wise, kind, and gentle, while sowing wild oats. Ne'er think that to work is degrading or low; If no wheat is planted, there'll be none to grow. Ne'er officiously scramble your bread to secure From the humble who toil, the industrious poor; Nor be guilty of venturing illegal votes; Be honest and pure, though you're sowing wild oats. Some trusting, young, fair one, as love-thoughts may flit, May fancy your style, or be charmed by your wit; Don't think that to please her, or merely for sport, You'll make some pretentions to love and to court; Don't woo to deceive her, with words or with notes, — To take refuge in pleas that you're sowing wild oats. Seek fame if you will, with the mallet or pen, But lay your foundations for good, worthy men; And build thereupon noble structures and fine, Walking straight in the way of the Master divine; O'ercoming, at last, all the beams and the motes Which cloud the best vision while sowing wild oats.