Been down to the art museum an' looked at a thousand things, <br />The bodies of ancient mummies an' the treasures of ancient kings, <br />An' some of the walls were lovely, but some of the things weren't much, <br />But all had a rail around 'em, an' all wore a sign 'Don't touch.' <br /> <br />Now maybe an art museum needs guards and a warning sign <br />An' the hands of the folks should never paw over its treasures fine; <br />But I noticed the rooms were chilly with all the joys they hold, <br />An' in spite of the lovely pictures, I'd say that the place is cold. <br /> <br />An' somehow I got to thinkin' of many a home I know <br />Which is kept like an art museum, an' merely a place for show; <br />They haven't railed off their treasures or posted up signs or such, <br />But all of the children know it- there's a lot that they mustn't touch. <br /> <br />It's hands off the grand piano, keep out of the finest chair, <br />Stay out of the stylish parlor, don't run on the shiny stair; <br />You may look at the velvet curtains which hang in the stately hall, <br />But always and ever remember, they're not to be touched at all. <br /> <br />'Don't touch!' for an art museum, is proper enough, I know, <br />But my children's feet shall scamper wherever they want to go, <br />And I want no rare possessions or a joy which has cost so much, <br />From which I must bar the children and tell them they 'mustn't touch.'<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-things-they-mustn-t-touch/
