| Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22. | | | | The Shoe Factory | | By Ruth Harwood |
| | From “Working-hour Songs”
Song of the knot-tyer
THEY told me | |
| When I came | |
| That this would be drudgery, | |
| Always the same | |
| Thing over and over | 5 |
| Day after day— | |
| The same swift movement | |
| In the same small way. | |
| |
| Pick up, | |
| Place, | 10 |
| Push, | |
| And it’s tied. | |
| Take off, | |
| Cut, | |
| And put | 15 |
| It aside. | |
| |
| Over and over | |
| In rhythmical beat— | |
| Some say it is drudgery | |
| But to me it is sweet. | 20 |
| |
| Pick up, | |
| Place, | |
| Push, | |
| And it’s tied. | |
| Out-doors | 25 |
| The sky | |
| Is so blue | |
| And so wide! | |
| |
| It’s a joyous song | |
| Going steadily on, | 30 |
| Marching in measures | |
| Till the day is gone. | |
| |
| Pick up, | |
| Place, | |
| Push, | 35 |
| And it’s tied. | |
| Soon end | |
| Of day | |
| Will bring him | |
| To my side. | 40 |
| |
| Oh, I love the measures | |
| Singing so fast, | |
| Speeding happy hours | |
| Till he comes at last! | | | | |
|
|
