Monday, March 2, 2009

Babies don't keep



I came across a poem written by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton in 1958 today on Mckmama's blog. Its one of those poems that quickly spoke right to my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Song for a Fifth Child.

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.


The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.



4 comments:

Joseph S said...

Beautiful as always Meag, and yet another example of one of the many thousands of reasons I Love You!

Suth-ern Mama said...

I hadn't gotten a chance to read McMama's blog yet so it was the first time to see that poem and oh how I can relate! I would rather play with my kids and be with them than worry too much about the ins and outs of the household. I find myself lost in my babies eyes half the time. Even when she won't go to sleep at 2 a.m. in the morning, I don't mind. I might be sleepy but I find a wonderful joy in having those extra moments all to myself! Enjoy, Meag! As a teacher of 14 years now, I realize how quickly it falls through the fingetips and then they are an adult.

The Santos Family said...

Sweet poem... Yes... as Hannah is getting ready to turn 2 and another is on the way (due in only 8 1/2 weeks!)... I totally agree! Sweet...

Unknown said...

I read the poem and remembered the song from your wedding that I sang with Joseph A Mother's Kiss Goodnight these days I realize how time really does fly. My babies have grown and have babies of their own and the kisses are given by someone else but there is a different joy in realizing that those kisses I gave so long ago are now the kisses you each share today with your own babies. Time may pass quickly but love is always the same Mom