A Girl’s Reverie <br /> <br />Mother says, ‘Be in no hurry, <br />Marriage oft means care and worry.’ <br /> <br />Auntie says, with manner grave, <br />‘Wife is synonym for slave.’ <br /> <br />Father asks, in tones commanding, <br />‘How does Bradstreet rate his standing? ’ <br /> <br />Sister, crooning to her twins, <br />Sighs, ‘With marriage care begins.’ <br /> <br />Grandma, near life’s closing days, <br />Murmurs, ‘Sweet are girlhood’s ways.’ <br /> <br />Maud, twice widowed (‘sod and grass’) <br />Looks at me and moans ‘Alas! ’ <br /> <br />They are six, and I am one, <br />Life for me has just begun. <br /> <br />They are older, calmer, wiser: <br />Age should aye be youth’s adviser. <br /> <br />They must know – and yet, dear me, <br />When in Harry’s eyes I see <br /> <br />All the world of love there burning – <br />On my six advisers turning, <br /> <br />I make an answer, ‘Oh, but Harry <br />Is not like most men who marry.’ <br /> <br />‘Fate has offered me a prize, <br />Life with love means Paradise.’ <br /> <br />‘Life without it is not worth <br />All the foolish joys of earth.’ <br /> <br />So, in spite of all they say, <br />I shall name the wedding day.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-marry-or-not-to-marry/
