Maid in America

 


I once knew a boy who was wealthy...

When I say money, I mean they had a whole bunch...

They had a team of gardeners who would manicure his lawn... 

He had a maid just to make his own lunch...


They had people both coming and going...

They has servants morning, noon and night...

There was always someone right there to assist the boy... 

They all wore uniforms that were crisp and white...


My family never really had domestics...

It just wasn’t something we could afford...

My parents made each of us clean our own room... 

They said “It’s how you earn your room and board...


We grew up in a household with responsibilities... 

My parents saw that we all chipped in...

In addition to cleaning my own bedroom...

I had to pick up, dust and vacuum the den...


I cut the front and back yard every Saturday...

I edged and swept the walkways, too...

And I had to finish it all by 6:00pm...

Because that’s when my mom served her homemade stew...


We thanked the Lord for providing such a good meal... 

We thanked the Lord for a good home, as well...

We didn’t have much, but we still felt blessed...

And that’s a story that’s worthy to tell...


We cleared the table right after supper...

We cleaned our plates and our glasses, too...

After everything was cleaned, we would all come together... 

And then we’d all sing a song or two...


My mom did have help with her sewing...

A lady named Miss Faircloth, who made our clothes... 

I used to charge my friends a nickel...

For a glance at Miss Faircloth’s six toes -true story...


When it was time for me to go to bed...

My mom would come to my room and tuck me in...

She would tell me she loved me and wish me sweet dreams... 

And in the morning I would start all over again...


I often wondered if the rich boy was very happy...

I often wondered if he could do anything on his own... 

It seemed he had everything a boy could want...

But he often seemed sad and alone...


We thanked the Lord for providing such a good life... 

We thanked the Lord for good health, as well...

We didn’t have much, but we still felt blessed...

And that’s a story that’s worthy to tell...


© 2022 Jeffrey Pipes Guice

My Wonder Years: A Book

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