Poetry, in motion

A WOMAN’S QUESTION

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing 
Ever made by the hand above? 
A woman’s heart, and a woman’s life— 
And a woman’s wonderful love. 

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing 
As a child might ask for a toy? 
Demanding what others have died to win 
With the reckless dash of a boy. 

You have written my lesson of duty out, 
Manlike, you have questioned me. 
Now stand at the bars of my woman’s soul 
Until I shall question thee. 

You require your mutton shall always be hot, 
Your socks and your shirt be whole; 
I require your heart be as true as God’s stars 
And as pure as His heaven your soul. 

You require a cook for your mutton and beef, 
I require a far greater thing; 
A seamstress you’re wanting for socks and shirts—- 
I look for a man and a king. 

A king for the beautiful realm called Home, 
And a man that his Maker, God, 
Shall look upon as he did on the first 
And say: “It is very good.” 

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade 
From this soft young cheeck one day; 
Will you love me then, ‘mid the falling leaves 
As you did ‘mong the blossoms of May? 

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true, 
I may launch my all on its tide? 
A loving woman finds heaven or hell 
On the day she is made a bride. 

I require all things that are grand and true, 
All things that a man should be; 
If you give this all, I would stake my life 
To be all you demand of me. 

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook 
You can hire and little to pay; 
But a woman’s heart and a woman’s life 
Are not to be won that way. 

By Lena Lathrop