Saturday night! Saturday night! <br />The hope that lingered has taken to flight; <br />From morning till evening, the weary week through, <br />In vain has he battled for something to do. <br />Poor man! emptyhanded, how can he return <br />To those whose fate hangs on the pence he may earn? <br />How can he reply to his questioner sweet -- <br />"Did Papa bring Papa's girl somethin' to eat?" <br /> <br />Out of employ! out of employ! <br />Distress in the cottage where once there was joy; <br />How frightful the shadows that fall on the floor <br />When Want and Starvation appear at the door! <br /> <br />Wasting away! Wasting away! <br />His poor wife grows paler each sorrowful day, <br />Yet suffers in silence, and never complains, -- <br />Reserving for others the crust that remains. <br />His fearful forebodings he seeks to disguise; <br />But now the child's prattle brings tears to his eyes; <br />"If Ma doze to Heaven den I mus' do, too; <br />But Pa, I'll frow down bread and butter for you." <br /> <br />Struggling for life! Struggling for life! <br />In spite of his courage bourne down in the strife; <br />Had not he the wife and the baby to save, <br />How willingly would be he down in the grave! <br />Reflections more later creep into his mind -- <br />The promise is false, "If ye seek ye shall find." <br />What was it his dear little innocent said? <br />"Does Dod fordits us when He takes daily bread!"<br /><br />Henry Clay Work<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/shadows-on-the-floor/
