I'm heading for the sere and yellow leaf.

From Mons to Jericho I've borne my crest

And back from Jericho to Mons again;

I've sampled smells in Araby the Blest

Would burst a boiler or corrode a drain;

The Blankshires have a port that raises Cain—

I've messed with them and never come to grief;

And yet I'm dashing like a non-stop train

Full steam into the sere and yellow leaf.

It caught me hard this morning when I dressed