Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE GOING MAN by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON

First Line: FAREWELL, VAIN WORLD, HE'S GOING HOME
Last Line: THROUGHOUT THE LAND!
Subject(s): ABANDONMENT; BABIES; FAREWELL; LONGING; MOTHERS; DESERTION; INFANTS; PARTING;

FAREWELL, vain world, he's going home,
He hears the baby cry.
He's going home, no more to roam,
To croon a lullaby.
"Kerwack, kerwack."
The baby squalls,
"Come back, come back."
Loud echo calls.

Its little heart is like to break
Since mother went away,
Before the populace to speak
On topics of the day.
The crowds applaud
And call her back,
She does not hear
"Kerwack, kerwack."

The tears roll down its pallid cheek
Till dawn begins to creep,
It sucks its fists till faint and weak,
It sobs itself to sleep.
"Kerwack, kerwack."
It cries in vain,
"Come back, come back."
In accents plain.

When woman's rights are other's wrongs
Beware the baneful snare;
The home is where the wife belongs,
It needs her loving care.
"Kerwack, kerwack."
No longer roam,
"Come back, come back."
To child and home.

'Tis sad but true, the time is past
When woman's chiefest joy
Is nourished by a husband's love
And centered in her boy.
"Kerwack, kerwack."
The cry is vain,
She will not hear
The plaintive strain.

Ah, grievous state, ah, fatal age,
With many evils fraught,
When clubs and social life engage
The woman's every thought.
"Kerwack, kerwack."
On every hand
"Kerwack" is heard
Throughout the land!



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