Poems (Kennedy)/When Women Voted First
WHEN WOMEN VOTED FIRST
THEY'D won at last—the long-drawn fight, Waged without shot or shell or brand Was theirs. Above their heads they heardThe Victory Palms, wind-swayed and sweet,Make music for their eager feetAs though the seraphs came to greet Their entrance to the Promise Land Of their desires. O brave and bannered hosts of hearts That never quailed, O wondrous triumph of a faith That never failed!
And so at last they stood with men Sharing with them life's high demands, Striving to bear their perfect part. And when the strenuous task was doneAnd tellers took the garnered tollThey found of votes a tiny roll;Of recipes and samples such a dole They might not count!A laundry bill recited aching woes Of days long past,And hairpins and mute chewing gum Told how that vote was cast.
And sad the tellers sighed as they threw out As chaff from winnowed wheat This strange collection."It was a splendid victory," they said, "For woman's rights—Ah, yes! Also it was A mighty queer election!"