WHEN we on simple rations sup How easy is the washing up! But heavy feeding complicates The task by soiling many plates. And though I grant that I have prayed That we might find a serving-maid, I'd scullion all my days, I think, To see Her smile across the sink! I wash, She wipes. In water hot I souse each dish and pan and pot; While Taffy mutters, purrs, and begs, And rubs himself against my legs. The man who never in his life Has washed the dishes with his wife Or polished up the silver plate -- He still is largely celibate. One warning: there is certain ware That must be handled with all care: The Lord Himself will give you up If you should drop a willow cup! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE by EMMA LAZARUS STREET WINDOW by CARL SANDBURG ASPATIA'S SONG, FR. THE MAID'S TRAEGDY by JOHN FLETCHER SONNET TO A NEGRO IN HARLEM by HELENE JOHNSON CHRISTMAS IN INDIA by RUDYARD KIPLING THYESTES, ACT 2: CHORUS by LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 12. ON RECOVERING FROM A FIT OF SICKNESS IN COUNTRY by MARK AKENSIDE |