Before Darkness

 

‘fore darkness comes the witching hour

‘fore that hour comes the tea

‘fore tea comes sleepy nap time

upon a mother’s knee

‘fore knee naps come simple lunches

of bread and jam and pears

‘fore simple food comes sunny play

amid the scrubby bushes

‘fore sun-kissed cheeks come story times

and fresh, sweet-scented clothes

‘fore newly dressed comes waking mother

with kisses to hands and nose