HOME

HOME

by Edgar Guest

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 lef’ 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 thumb-marks on the door.

Ye’ve got t’ weep t’ make it home, ye’ve got t’ sit an’ 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 an’ 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 t’ make it home.

Edgar A. Guest

Born:  Birmingham, England – August 20, 1881
Died:  Detroit, Michigan – August 5, 1959


This post has been posthumously published at Leslie’s request.

6 Replies to “HOME”

    1. Thank you so much, Charles. She was truly one of a kind and we miss her tremendously. Thank you for being such great friends to both of our parents. Please stay in touch.

      – Liz, Kathryn, and Laura

  1. First Sunday of Advent, and a peaceful passing and a powerful poem. It tells us about her appreciation of what a home on this earth means. Leslie clearly understood this so well, precisely because she was always aware of our true and eternal home.
    Thank you, Leslie, John and Family. Our prayerful thoughts remain with you. Genevieve and Adolf

    1. Thank you so much, Genevieve. Your kindness and love meant so much to my mom and our family. Thank you for caring so much for our parents. Please stay in touch and stay well.

      – Liz, Kathryn, and Laura

  2. Thank you, Leslie, for this reminder. Thank you for all your reminders from your heart. I cannot help but smile thinking of you healed in the arms of Jesus.

    1. Thank you so much, Sharon. Your friendship meant so much to our mom and it’s because of friends like you that we’re able to get through this difficult time. Thank you for giving us those reminders as well. We hope you’ll stay in touch. Stay well.

      – Liz, Kathryn, and Laura

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