Another poem from The Best Loved Poems of the American People. Love this, very thought-provoking.
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Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the Hand above?
A woman’s heart, and a woman’s life –
And a woman’s wonderful love.
Do you know you have asked for this priceless thingAs a child might ask for a toy?Demanding what others have died to win,With the reckless dash of a boy.You have written my lesson of duty out;Manlike, you have questioned me.Now stand at the bar of my woman’s soulUntil I shall question thee.You require your mutton shall always be hot,Your socks and your shirts be whole;I require your heart to be true as God’s starsAnd as pure as His heaven your soul.Your require a cook for your mutton and beef,I require a far greater thing;A seamstress you’re wanting for socks and shirts –I look for a man and a king.
A
king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And
a man that his Maker, God,
Shall
look upon as He did on the first
And
say: “It is very good.”
I
am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From
my soft young cheek one day;
Will
you love me then ‘mid the falling leaves,
As
you did ‘mong the blossoms of May?
Is
your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I
may launch my all on its tide?
A
loving woman finds heaven or hell
On
the day she is made a bride.
I
require all things that are grand and true,
All
things that a man should be;
If
you give this all, I would stake my life
To
be all you demand of me.
If
you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You
can hire and little to pay;
But
a woman’s heart and a woman’s life
Are
not to be won that way.
Lena Lathrop
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