You cannot rob us of the rights we cherish, <br />Nor turn our thoughts away <br />From the bright picture of a "Woman's Mission" <br />Our hearts portray. <br /> <br />We claim to dwell, in quiet and seclusion, <br />Beneath the household roof,-- <br />From the great world's harsh strife, and jarring voices, <br />To stand aloof;-- <br /> <br />Not in a dreamy and inane abstraction <br />To sleep our life away, <br />But, gathering up the brightness of home sunshine, <br />To deck our way. <br /> <br />As humble plants by country hedgerows growing, <br />That treasure up the rain, <br />And yield in odours, ere the day's declining, <br />The gift again; <br /> <br />So let us, unobtrusive and unnoticed, <br />But happy none the less, <br />Be privileged to fill the air around us <br />With happiness; <br /> <br />To live, unknown beyond the cherished circle, <br />Which we can bless and aid; <br />To die, and not a heart that does not love us <br />Know where we're laid.<br /><br />Annie Louisa Walker<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/women-s-rights/
