~~The Old Wood Stove~~

There was something in the kitchens
of days of long ago,
Which the children of the cities
are not priviledged to know.

"Twas a wood stove,warm and glowing,
and the tasks for it were twin:
I carried out the ashes
and the wood I carried in.

On baking days ,my mother
(there are times I hear her still)
Said:"Remember,in the morning
there's the woodbox you must fill."
Then from the shed into the kitchen
with arms loaded I would dash,
Till my coat was full of splinters
and my hair was full of ash.

In the kitchen now ar gadgets,
and the stoves are lovely things.
But the children very seldom
hear the song the kettle sings.

On the ovens for the mothers
are thermometors and clocks,
But since wood is never wanted
there's no longer any box.

Is the modern way the better?
Well,it's easier I"d say
But I'm sure a joy was taken
from the youngsters of today,

For they'll never fill a woodbox'
never see a woodstove glow,
And they'll never have such memories
as now are mine to know.

~~Author:Edgar A. Guest~~