Poems (Merrill)/A Bachelor's Comments on Women's Rights

by Clara A. Merrill

A BACHELOR'S COMMENTS ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS

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'Tis said the time is close at hand  Which earnest thought invites—We 'If take up this expansive theme  And speak on "Women's Rights." Methinks there's many a questions, now.  Which worthy seems of note; What say we, then: Will all things change  When the women have power to vote?

Will they exchange places with the men— Tread where have trod their feet—And dig and delve all day, to get  Things for the men to eat? Will the men folks stay in the house all day  Dressed in their silks and laces—Their soft white hands bedecked with rings, And powder on their faces?

Will they play the piano, with no thought  To the morrow ever giving—While the woman goes, and tries to find  Some way to get a living? Will she be a carpenter,  And build houses tall and grand; And scale with might the dizzy height  With hammer and saw in hand?

Will she be a soldier true  And fight in uniform—Or will she be a sailor bold  And brave the tempestuous storm? Will she like to make the mines  Down underneath the ground And bring to light the precious gems  In those dark and deep caves found?

Will she like to dig for ore  Where the hidden metals are? Will she take her place on a railway train  Or drive an electric car? How many will learn the dentist 's trade?  For they must learn it when The good new time comes—and the ladies  Change places with the men.

Can she build the massive bridges  That the rushing waters span—Can she smoke and chew tobacco  And do it like a man? Can she even be a farmer— Hold plow and drive the horse? Should she change places with the men  Why, then she can of course!

Then the liege lords will realize  As darksome fears encroach; Why the once fair sex in timidity  Shrank from a mouse's approach Yes, the time is drawing nearer,— Yet one question still remains Will the world be any better  When the women hold the reins?