THE DAY'S END by RAY CLARKE ROSE

Boys, I 've been out in the clearin'
Choppin' up some second-growth,
And, I swan, it 's mighty cheerin'
When the frost is interferin'
With yer seein' and yer hearin'
And yer natchral feelin's, both,
To hear yer sister's voice a-callin':
"Supper, pa; the boys is all in!"

Then I drop my ax and listen,
Makin' out I didn't hear,
For I knew a voice like this'n,
Which fer years I 've been a-missin',
And I seem to catch the glisten
Of two girlish eyes—it 's queer,
But yer ma lives in yer sister
As she was when first I kissed her.

You remember her as turnin'
Thirty odd, and all wore out;
But them days when we was burnin'
Walnut firewood and earnin'
This old farm jest sets me yearnin'
That the years could turn about
And yer ma would call me to her
From the days when first I knew her.

Seems to me I didn't treat her
With the care I should have took;
Such a faithful wife, and neater
Than a hummin' bird, and sweeter—
God forgive me! if I meet her
There, she 'll wear a lovin' look
And forgive me—she 'll be callin':
"Come in, pa, the night is fallin'!"

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