Daily dawns another day;
I must up, to make my way.
Though I dress and drink and eat,
Move my fingers and my feet,
Learn a little, here and there,
Weep and laugh and sweat and swear,
Hear a song, or watch a stage,
Leave some words upon a page,
Claim a foe, or hail a friend –
Bed awaits me at the end.
Though I go in pride and strength,
I’ll come back to bed at length.
Though I walk in blinded woe,
Back to bed I’m bound to go.
High my heart, or bowed my head,
All my days but lead to bed.
Up, and out, and on; and then
Ever back to bed again,
Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall –
I’m a fool to rise at all!
At 64, I am constantly amazed by the things I do not know. I have just heard this poem for the first time (2/2/11)on NPR radio. Thunderstruck. It is the most informative and concise description of life that I have ever heard. Thank you Ms. Parker.
My mother first saw this poem in her English book in about 1947. She fell in love with it. She copied it in study hall but forgot to write down the name of the author. Here I am all these years later typing in the first line and now we know the author.
When I was a kid I would say it is stupid to make your bed when you are just going to get back in it. mom would laugh and recite this poem. That made it a favorite of mine too!