Exactly two years ago, "An Old Woman of the Roads" by Padraic Column appeared as the first Cottage Blessings post. This is a poem I've always loved that touches upon the theme intended for this blog--gratitude for the simple blessings of home and family. It has become a custom of mine to repeat the poem every year--I hope you will love it as much as I do.
An Old Woman of the Roads
by Padraic Colum (1881-1972)
O, to have a little house!
To own the hearth and stool and all!
The heaped up sods upon the fire,
The pile of turf against the wall!
To have a clock with weights and chains
And pendulum swinging up and down!
A dresser filled with shining delph,
Speckled and white and blue and brown!
I could be busy all the day
Clearing and sweeping the hearth and floor,
And fixing on their shelf again
My white and blue and speckled store!
I could be quiet there at night
Beside the fire and by myself,
Sure of a bed and loath to leave
The ticking clock and the shining delph!
Och! but I'm weary of mist and dark
And roads where there's never a house nor bush,
And tired I am of bog and road,
And the crying wind and the lonesome hush!
And I am praying to God on high,
And I am praying Him night and day,
For a little house, a house of my own,
Out of the wind's and the rain's way
Happy New Year, Alice!
(Didn't post under the pictures of Eileen how adorable she is. She's a little girl now, a baby no longer! Isn't it amazing -- I look at my kids each year and marvel how they've grown.)
Posted by: Becky | January 01, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Oh what a wonderful poem (I got teary eyed too) Congratulations on you 2 years. I look forward to the next year. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | January 01, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Wonderful poem, Alice - Happy New Year!
Posted by: Cheryl M. | January 01, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Lovely poem!
Happy New Year to all the cottage residents. :)
Posted by: Love2learn Mom | January 01, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Happy New Year, Dear Alice! Thank you so much for continuing to share your 'little house' with us!
Posted by: Kimberlee | January 01, 2008 at 04:56 PM
This IS a lovely poem - thank you so much for sharing it.
Posted by: Beck | January 01, 2008 at 07:13 PM
How much we all take for granted. Thank you for posting this lovely reminder.
Posted by: Barbara | January 02, 2008 at 09:33 AM
It's the best poem and I can't think of it without thinking of you sweet friend!! Happy New Year and here's to another great year of blogging at the Cottage!! Love,
Posted by: Meredith | January 02, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I love this poem too. I recall with much love how Marie memorized this poem and used it for copywork many years ago. xoxoxo
Posted by: Lorraine | January 02, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Beautiful! Happy New Year! You are such an inspiration.
Posted by: Mary Beth P | January 03, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Happy Blogiversary, Alice!
Love,
Jane
Posted by: Jane Ramsey | January 03, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Oh I learnt this poem in school and still know all the words. I love all the imagery and of course it is the imagery of Ireland that is now making tears come into my eyes. I am sitting in a meeting at work so I cannot cry!!
This is how I imagine the house:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_sXodTjq3mkU/R26rmPNAybI/AAAAAAAABHM/mBoorXNxVOE/s1600-h/art4.jpg
This is one of my Mum's paintings that she has done for me.
What do you think?
Posted by: Leona | January 03, 2008 at 04:26 PM