Was the day the cleaning had to be done.
At 4:30 sharp, the clock would alarm,
For you had to rise early down on the farm.
Carry the water, and fill the washpot,
Keep the fire going, till the water was hot.
On the rubboard, we'd scrub all the duds
Up to our elbows in lye soap suds.
While the laundry was being done,
All of the bedding was out in the sun.
When the clean clothes were hung on the line,
The sudsy water would make the floors shine.
We'd scrub all the floors with mop and broom,
And rinse them down, every room.
The excess we'd sweep through a low corner hole,
And under the house the water would flow.
It mattered not at all, for you see
The dogs and the chickens splattered with glee.
For in the summer the days were so hot,
They knew that there they'd find a cool spot.
We'd build a fire in the old cook stove,
To heat the irons to press the clothes.
They'd been brought in and dampened down,
And you and that iron went round and round.
Time for the bedding to be brought in,
And all the beds to be made again,
Chores to do and supper to cook,
And a little while to read a good book.
There's nothing so good when the day's all done,
Than to get into beds, fresh from the sun.
Stretch and know that the world's alright,
For that's a good tired you're feeling tonight.
by L.E. Ashley
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