I'm up against it day by day, br My ignorance is distressing; br The things I don't know on the way br I'm busily confessing. br Time was I used to think I knew br Some useful bits of knowledge br And could be sure of one or two br Real facts I'd gleaned in college. br But I'm unfitted for the task br Of answering things my boy can ask. br br Now, who can answer queries queer br That four-year-olds can think up? br And tell in simple phrase and clear br Why fishes do not drink up br The water in the streams and lakes, br Or where the wind is going, br And tell exactly how God makes br The roses that are growing? br I'm sure I cannot satisfy br Each little when, and how, and why. br br Had I the wisdom of a sage br Possessed of all the learning br That can be gleaned from printed page br From bookworm's closest turning, br That eager knowledge-seeking lad br That questions me so gayly br Could still go round and boast he had br With queries floored me daily. br He'll stick, I'll bet, in less than five br Brief minutes any man alive.