The Debt (Dunbar)

For works with similar titles, see Debt.

The Debt by Paul Laurence Dunbar

THIS is the debt I pay
Just for one riotous day,
Years of regret and grief,
Sorrow without relief.

Pay it I will to the end --
Until the grave, my friend,
Gives me a true release --
Gives me the clasp of peace.

Slight was the thing I bought,
Small was the debt I thought,
Poor was the loan at best --
God! but the interest!

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.