Why do the wheels go whirring round, <br />Mother, mother? <br />Oh, mother, are they giants bound, <br />And will they growl forever? <br />Yes, fiery giants underground, <br />Daughter, little daughter, <br />Forever turn the wheels around, <br />And rumble-grumble ever. <br /> <br />Why do I pick the threads all day, <br />Mother, mother, <br />While sunshine children are at play? <br />And must I work forever? <br />Yes, shadow-child; the live-long day, <br />Daughter, little daughter, <br />Your hands must pick the threads away, <br />And feel the sunshine never. <br /> <br />Why do the birds sing in the sun, <br />Mother, mother, <br />If all day long I run and run, <br />Run with the wheels forever? <br />The birds may sing till day is done, <br />Daughter, little daughter, <br />But with the- wheels your feet must run— <br />Run with the wheels forever. <br /> <br />Why do I feel so tired each night, <br />Mother, mother? <br />The wheels are always buzzing bright; <br />Do they grow sleepy never? <br />Oh, baby thing, so soft and white, <br />Daughter, little daughter, <br />The big wheels grind us in their might, <br />And they will grind forever. <br /> <br />And is the white thread never spun, <br />Mother, mother? <br />And is the white cloth never done, <br />For you and me done never? <br />Oh yes, our thread will all be spun, <br />Daughter, little daughter, <br />When we lie down out in the sun, <br />And work no more forever. <br /> <br />And when will come that happy day, <br />Mother, mother? <br />Oh, shall we laugh and sing and play <br />Out in the sun forever? <br />Nay, shadow-child, we'll rest all day, <br />Daughter, little daughter, <br />Where green grass grows and roses gay, <br />There in the sun forever.<br /><br />Harriet Monroe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-shadow-child/
