A walk in the woods

Mother, O Mother, come sweep out the barn,
Pull weeds from the garden, or clean up the yard.
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose farm is so shocking?

She's out in the woods, blissfully walking.

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
And I'm out in the woods, finding flowers -- it's true.

I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo

Look, Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?

We're skipping with stones and searching for frogs

Shh, there's a turtle asleep near that log.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow

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

So quiet down barn chores; weeds go to sleep!

I'm out with my baby and babies don't keep.

(Adapted from "Babies Don't Keep" by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton)