Woman, sitting at your ease, <br />In the midst of luxuries, <br />Bound by chains of selfishness, <br />With no aim but 'how to dress,' <br />Does the thought ne'er come to you <br />Of the thing that you could do? <br />Could, and yet do not, <br />To crush out the liquor trade, <br />That is making, and has made, <br />Sin and shame, and woe and tears <br />In our land, for years and years- <br />Have you never thought? <br /> <br /> <br />You will chat for hours and hours <br />Over ribbons, silks, and flowers, <br />But you will not talk or think <br />Of this growing evil-drink. <br />You will weep and smile and laugh <br />Over trashy books of chaff, <br />But you will not read <br />Any truthful temperance tale. <br />'They are all so dry and stale- <br />Just the same old thing,' you say <br />As you yawn, and turn away <br />From the truths you need. <br /> <br /> <br />You have time for rout, and ball, <br />Concert, theatre, and all <br />Lectures, save on this one theme. <br />'Oh! these temperance lectures seem <br />So extremely dull,' you cry, <br />With a listless air and eye. <br />O my friend! forsake <br />That absorbing theme of DRESS, <br />Drop for once your selfishness, <br />Think of all there is to do! <br />See the work that waits for you! <br />Up! arouse! awake! <br /> <br /> <br />There are men for you to save <br />From the wretched drunkard's grave. <br />There are feet that strayed away <br />Into paths of sin one day. <br />You can bring them, if you will, <br />To the paths upon the hill. <br />There's enough to do! <br />There's much to do and little done, <br />Women, sisters, every one, <br />Lend a helping hand, nor shirk <br />Any part of God's great work. <br />Come! we've need of you!<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/work-for-woman/
