Babies Don't Keep!

Growing up, my aunt had this poem in cross-stitch form hanging up in her bustling home.  I'm not sure why, but it stuck with me even as a young child.  But now, with this fourth little one, quite a lot of bustling of our own, and little experience under my belt, I finally really get it. 

Happy Day to You!

Babies Don't Keep

Mother, O' Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth.

Hang out the washing, make up the bed,

Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due,

Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek - peekaboo.

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew,

And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo.

But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?

Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,

But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

~ Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

 

 

Comments

[Rachel]

Oh, I love this poem, too. And a good, good reminder it is. Thanks!

[Tara Dudley]

Oh man.... you made me cry while working... Beautiful poem.

[barefoot mama]

Thanks for the reminder:)

[Jen]

I've never read the whole poem. Just the first 2 lines and last 2 lines. thanks for sharing the whole thing. Jen (can I still claim it even if my babies are 9 & 7)?

[christy m]

What a great poem!

[Ellen]

I've heard of this poem too. It's funny yet very poignant. Good to remember especially when days get harried or stressful. Hope you're settling in even more with Lena.