Poems (Curwen)/Help Mother

by Annie Isabel Curwen

Help Mother.

FOR THE GIRLS.

What have you done to-day, dears?
 What have you done to-day?
Before the golden sun goes down
 Question yourselves, I pray.
What have I done to help mother?
 Then help her while you may.

What is there you can do, dears?
 Oh, there are many things:
Stockings, and little rents to darn,
 And pinafores wanting strings;
And fretful baby is so good
 When sister rocks and sings.

All these, though trifling things, dears,
 Help mother upon her way,
Just as the little sunbeams cheer
 Us on a gloomy day.
Mothers bear heavy burdens, dears,
 Lighten them while you may.

There's many good little maids, dears,
 Who go to school every day,
Yet they find time to help mother,
 And have time enough for play.
But you—well, never mind, dears,
 Just listen to what I say:

I am a mother myself, clears,
 And ofttimes weary, too,
And grateful indeed of any aid
 That little hands can do;
And so, I'd fain have you to help
 Your weary mothers, too;

Don't leave it till to-morrow, dears,
 Begin at once to-day,
And try with loving helpfulness
 To brighten mother's way;
To-morrow it might be too late,
 Help mother while you may.