"Song for A Fifth Child"

I've been reminded lately of the joys--and struggles--of mothers of young children trying to juggle childcare, work, needs around the home, all the while desiring to keep important relationships strong and healthy. Add to this the love for--and the unfulfilled itch of--writing. Although my children are grown with families of their own, I remember those days.

Thus, in honor of those who are at that stage, I thought I'd share a poem that's always been a favorite of mine. You're probably familiar with it, it's been around a long time--once published, I understand, in a 1958 issue of Lady's Home Journal. But it's worth repeating. Take heart, young writers, time for writing will be there. The days of children being preciously small will not. So relax--and rock.

Song for A Fifth Child

by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing and butter the bread,

Sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown 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 hullabaloo

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

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

(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will 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.

I'm heading off for Saturday's Central Ohio SCBWI conference. Can't wait to hear from Mandy Hubbard, author and agent with D4EO Agency, Delacorte Press Editor Krista Marino, and others. I've packed the picture books drawn from commenters' suggestions to donate to the Nationwide Children's Hospital Reach out and Read program, and look forward to the critique of the first 10 pages of my manuscript that were submitted for review in advance. I'll check in later with a report of all the inspiring things the day promises to hold. See you later!

Any rocking plans you have for the upcoming weekend?

photo courtesy: www.sxc.hu/