Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VISITING, by ANNA PATTEN LOCKWOOD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VISITING, by                    
First Line: Tis fine to go a - visiting
Last Line: And take the long road home.
Subject(s): Guests; Homesickness; Travel; Visiting; Journeys; Trips


'Tis fine to go a-visiting
And spend a day or two
With friends I long have known and loved
'Mid scenes all fresh and new.
But the finest part of visiting
To me, I freely own,
Is when I pack my things again
And take the long road home.

My mind goes on ahead of me
Along the homeward way,
I think of things that must be done
And should be done today.
I see the house and every room
The way I left it last,
And wonder if the little chicks
Have had a two days' fast.

There may be dishes in the sink
And ashes on the floor,
The beds unmade and all about
Dust thickly scattered o'er,
But I'm so glad to be at home
Among my household gods,
I'm even glad to start again
Those long-despised odd jobs.

With thoughts still with the friends I've left
And hands that know their task,
I spend a busy happy day
As full as one could ask.
For home is just the dearest place
That I will ever see,
And my folks just the nicest folks
'Cause they belong to me.

I like to go a-visiting
And spend a little while,
But I like coming home again
Where nothing cramps my style.
The finest part of visiting
To me, I'll have to own,
Is when I pack my things again
And take the long road home.





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