The Philosopher Poem by Imogene Wagner

“Look Sis, you're only five and kinda dumb
But I have got to tell you anyway,
I heard 'em talkin'! - now, don't you tell Mum,
They said that Dad ain't ours no more to stay.

It seems like Mum got papers, don't know why,
But Dad ain't gonna come around no more,
I'm tellin' you so you won't out an' cry
At night like you been doin' here before.

Don't I think Daddy loves us? Sure I do,
I know it with my insides all the while,
But ain't no sense in makin' Mummy blue
By mopin' when she's sad, yah gotta smile.

An Sis, less someone's up an took to dyin'
Why we can keep on hopin' they'll be by –
I ain't cryin' too! Don't say I'm cryin'!
It's just a piece of ceiling in my eye.

(October 1948)