For Our Mother
Birds peck the ripe persimmons
Firm and orange in the autumn sun
The morning frost has melted
Another busy day has begun
Mother's engaged in housework
Daddy has gone to the mines
The school bus ran a while ago
A sleeping baby still reclines
She washes clothes on the Maytag
In the kitchen by the hot cook stove
Cleans the junk from the boys' jeans
The pockets a treasure trove
Hanging the clothes on lines outside
Makes them smell so clean and fresh
Her rough hands freeze when the air is cold
While chill bumps cover her flesh
She has to decide which bills to pay
Knowing Daddy's pay won't stretch
And ward off collectors at the door
There's still the dry clothes to fetch
She stirs a big pot of pinto beans
That have simmered on the stove all day
Then hunts for enough potatoes to peel
Trying to keep the toddlers at bay
With everyone full and the water hot
The supper dishes have to be done
Two dishpans and two older daughters
Give a respite from that bit of fun
There's wood to cut and coal to tote
And water to pump for the morning meal
Homework to do and kids to bathe
A ton of mending that holds no appeal
Tomorrow the ironing has to be done
She works it in among other chores
Oh, what she would give for a day of rest
Relaxing in the swing outdoors
Doing the same work day in, day out
With a screaming baby to serenade
She never had to work outside the home
Yes, our Mother sure had it made
Kathleen McCoy Eldridge©
November 16, 2008
All Rights Reserved
Mother and Danny
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