| It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home, |
| A heap o' sun an' shadder, an' ye sometimes have t' roam |
| Afore ye really 'preciate the things ye left behind, |
| An' hunger fer 'em somehow, with 'em allus on yer mind. |
| It don't make any differunce how rich ye get t' be, |
| How much yer chairs an' tables cost, how great yer luxury; |
| It ain't home t' ye, though it be the palace of a king, |
| Until somehow yer soul is sort o' wrapped 'round everything. |
| |
| Home ain't a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute; |
| Afore it's home there's got t' be a heap o' livin' in it: |
| Within the walls there's got t' be some babies born, and then |
| Right there ye've got t' bring 'em up t' women good, an' men; |
| And gradjerly, as time goes on ye find ye wouldn't part |
| With anything they ever used—they've grown into yer heart; |
| The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore |
| Ye hoard; an' if ye could ye'd keep the thumbmarks on the door. |
| |
| Ye've got t' weep t' make it home, ye've got t' sit and sigh |
| An' watch beside a loved one's bed, an' know that Death is nigh; |
| An' in the stillness o' the night t' see Death's angel come, |
| An' close the eyes o' her that smiled, an' leave her sweet voice dumb. |
| Fer these are scenes that grip the heart, an' when yer tears are dried, |
| Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an' sanctified; |
| An' tuggin' at ye always are the pleasant memories |
| O' her that was an' is no more—ye can't escape from these. |
| |
| Ye've got t' sing and dance fer years, ye've got t' romp an' play, |
| An' learn t' love the things ye have by usin' 'em each day; |
| Even the roses 'round the porch must blossom year by year |
| Afore they 'come a part o' ye, suggestin' someone dear |
| Who used t' love 'em long ago, an' trained 'em jes' t' run |
| The way they do, so's they would get the early mornin' sun; |
| Ye've got t' love each brick an' stone from cellar up t' dome: |
| It takes a heap o' livin' in a house f' make it home. |
| |
| Edgar A. Guest. |
