IF I had wealth and I had health, <br />And I 'd a roof above me, <br />If I'd a wife to cheer my life, <br />But not one child to love me, <br />No rosy-lipped young laughing miss, <br />No bright-eyed, roguish laddie, <br />I 'd search the town, both up and down, <br />Till one should call me daddie. <br /> <br />I would not have a roof that ne'er <br />Knew sound of childish chatter, <br />Nor keep a floor, unlettered o'er <br />By little feet that patter. <br />Nor would I hang upon my walls <br />Great pictures, just to show them, <br />Unless a tot had left a lot <br />Of finger-marks below them. <br /> <br />I would not like to settle down <br />Within my old armchair, <br />And take my ease, with empty knees — <br />I want a youngster there. <br />Likewise with everything I have, <br />How incomplete 't would be, <br />Unless I had a girl or lad <br />To share it all with me. <br /> <br />And so I say if I had wealth, <br />And had a roof above me. <br />If I 'd a wife to cheer my life, <br />But had no child to love me, <br />Then I would search both up and down, <br />To beg or buy or borrow, <br />A child to be a part of me — <br />I 'd have one here tomorrow.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/what-to-do-71/
