One for the Seasaw

This I have never understood:

WE CHOP DOWN trees but chop up wood;

WE DRAW DOWN wrath, we draw up wills,

WE RUN DOWN foes, we run up bills;

WE EAT food up, we down a drink,

WHICH is a little strange, I think.

WE TURN DOWN offers, turn up noses-

Just ONE last thought and then this closes:

WE SHOULD REMEMBER, we poor clowns,

THAT LIFE is full of ups and downs.

~ Richard Armour

The Wall Street Journal

Reader’s Digest October 1994