Theresa Martha's firm but slender hands So lightly held the yarn at her spinning wheel; Caressing long the fine revolving strands, She wound her daily stint on whirling reel. She sang and drew the threads to their rightful place To fashion wool for use, she often said, Or something of beauty as rare and fragile lace, Then sniffed her glowing oven's fragrant bread. Theresa Martha's tender youthful dream Was woven like the cloth by wick and fire. Her plan had threads of rose, a shining gleam, "For life has pattern," she mused, "if kept entire." With faith and careful strength she spun reserve, And wove with song her gentleness and verve. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON GEORGE HERBERT'S BOOK, THE TEMPLE, SENT TO A GENTLEWOMAN by RICHARD CRASHAW THE HILL WIFE: HOUSE FEAR by ROBERT FROST TO A CHILD OF QUALITY, FIVE YEARS OLD. THE AUTHOR THAN FORTY by MATTHEW PRIOR SUNDAY UP THE RIVER: 15 by JAMES THOMSON (1834-1882) IN STATE by BYRON FORCEYTHE WILLSON THE DOUBLE STANDARD by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE TIME OF LOVE by FLORENCE E. BALDWIN SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 36. STRONG, LIKE THE SEA by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |