I longed for gold, and gold I sought, And gold I found. With gold I bought More lands and mines I knew to hold New hopes of wealth, new dreams of gold -- These hills of mine have had to be Wife, children, home and all to me. The girl must be a lady now, The boy be twenty, anyhow. I send them all the cash they need To clothe, and educate, and feed, And buy them luxuries -- and yet What is the gratitude I get? A letter every week or so, Their mother makes them write, I know, On certain holidays their cards Inscribed, "To Father, with regards" -- But no affection, not a line Of love from any child of mine. There's scarce a thing they can't afford, And this their thanks, and my reward, For all the years I've worked and slaved, And schemed and bargained, fought and saved -- And, now I'm weary, sick and old, It seems that all I have is gold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY FATHER'S FACE by HAYDEN CARRUTH FOR THE INVESTITURE by CECIL DAY LEWIS MOTHERHOOD by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE DOLL BELIEVERS by CLARENCE MAJOR THE CANDLE by KATHERINE MANSFIELD MONODY ON THE DEATH OF WILLIAM MARION REEDY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: PENNIWIT, THE ARTIST by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE BURIAL OF BOSTON CORBETT (ONE WARDEN TO ANOTHER) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |