I saw them from our car today, As I was passing by— The women toilers! Mexican, Negro, white, Working in the cotton fields From dawn of day till night. I wonder what the recompense Of toil like theirs— Fulfillment, joy, sweet peace? Or just the dull despair Of aching weariness, That never knows surcease? I wonder, oh, I wonder how In God's great plan, I shall make restitution for The joy, the ease, the time Spent in such idle ways, When these must wilt Out in the hot sun's blaze. At night I see them When I try to pray; God help them to be kind When they shall think of me, Beloved, rested, gay— As I was passing by their fields today! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWILIGHT SONG by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE CLOISTER by ISAAC ROSENBERG ASPIRATIONS OF A COUNTRY LAD by GEORGE SANTAYANA BUCOLIC COMEDY: WHY by EDITH SITWELL THE MODERN MOTHER by ALICE MEYNELL LALLA ROOKH: PARADISE AND THE PERI by THOMAS MOORE THE LAMENTATION OF THE OLD PENSIONER (1) by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |