Progress

When Grandma went to school,
If she but broke a rule
She sat upon a stool,
And wore a cap.

When Mother took her turn,
She had so much to learn
She says she used to yearn
to take a nap.

But I have lovely times!
I make the nicest rhymes,
And listen to the chimes,
And learn to cook.

I learn to figure pay,
And how to model clay,
And how grass turns to hay,
And read a book.

I learn from radio
And from a picture show
How minds and bodies grow
And what they do.

I travel up and down
And know my native town,
And learn how not to drown
And his'try too.

I learn to make a chair,
And how to do my hair,
And how to mend a tear,
And how to dance.

Oh, I have lots of fun!
I sew and swim and run,
Shoot camera and gun.
This is advance!

Edith Granger Hawkes 1891