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Note from Joe: These could be re-titled “The Night Before” and “The Morning After”. Since I couldn’t decide which is more true, here are both.

First Fig

by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950)

My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends —
It gives a lovely light!

I Burned My Candle At Both Ends

by Samuel Hoffenstein (1890-1947)

I burned my candle at both ends,
And now have neither foes nor friends;
For all the lovely light begotten,
I’m paying now in feeling rotten.


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