Early Poem by Dann Thomas

It’s an early day, starts while it’s still dark
She stretches and drags her sleepy head
Got to take all the children to the park
But first, have to drag them all out of bed.
She’s in charge of them, this early little lark

She’s running around and never turning sore
These last few years have been hard and full
Washing and cleaning and cooking and more
Lunch bags, office packs and children to school
Car cleaned, house swabbed and all on the go.

Into an envelope she packs her small wages
And thinks of good times and those at home.
Then drops it into the post with little kisses
A tiny tear spent for that moment alone.
A little heart broken of a home she misses.

And she’s back at work, no more time given
As sadness and thought won’t pay labour.
She works right through, from five to eleven
A home-maker, cleaner, adviser, care taker
This little house maid, she’s only about eleven.


Child labour still exists in many parts of the world