Poor Housekeeping Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABBABB CBBCBB BBBBBB CDDCDD EFFEFF CGGCGG CHHCHH GBBGBB IBBIBB| If there is one gift that I prize above others | A |
| That tinges with brightness whatever I do | B |
| And gives to the sombre a roseate hue | B |
| 'Tis a legacy mine from the nicest of mothers | A |
| Who haply the beauty of housewifery knew | B |
| And taught me her neatness and diligence too | B |
| - | |
| So is my discomfort a house in disorder | C |
| The service uncleanly the linen distained | B |
| The children like infantry rude and untrained | B |
| The portieres dusty and frayed at the border | C |
| By lavish expenses the pocketbook drained | B |
| And miseries numberless never explained | B |
| - | |
| I dream not of pleasure in visions untidy | B |
| A wrapper all hole y a buttonless shoe | B |
| A slatternly matron with nothing to do | B |
| And all the ill luck charged to ominous Friday | B |
| Can never compare with the ills that ensue | B |
| On wretched housekeeping and cookery too | B |
| - | |
| There's many a husband a patient bread winner | C |
| Gets up from the table with look of despair | D |
| And something akin to the growl of a bear | D |
| Not the saint he might be but a querulous sinner | C |
| One driven to fasting but not unto prayer | D |
| Till epitaphed thus Indigestible Fare | D |
| - | |
| There's many a child from the roof tree diurnal | E |
| A scene of distraction or dullness severe | F |
| With the longing of youth for diversion and cheer | F |
| That comes like the spring time refreshing and vernal | E |
| Goes out on a ruinous reckless career | F |
| Returning if ever not many a year | F |
| - | |
| O negligent female imperfect housekeeper | C |
| Though faultless in figure and charming of face | G |
| In ruffles of ribbon and trailings of lace | G |
| Usurping the part of a common street sweeper | C |
| You never can pose as a type of your race | G |
| In frowsy appearance mid things out of place | G |
| - | |
| O fashion bred damsel with folly a flutter | C |
| Until you have learned how to manage a broom | H |
| If never you know how to tidy a room | H |
| Manipulate bread or decide about butter | C |
| The duties of matron how dare you assume | H |
| Or ever be bride to a sensible groom | H |
| - | |
| I covet no part with that army of shirkers | G |
| All down at the heels in their slipper y tread | B |
| Who hunt for the rolling pin under the bed | B |
| Who look with disdain on intelligent workers | G |
| And take to the club or the circus instead | B |
| Of mending a stocking or laying the spread | B |
| - | |
| Oh I dream of a system of perfect housekeeping | I |
| Where mistress and helper together compete | B |
| In excellent management quiet and neat | B |
| And though in the bosom of earth I am sleeping | I |
| Shall somebody live to whom life will be sweet | B |
| And home an ideal idyllic retreat | B |
Hattie Howard
(1)
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