THE MILK MAIDEN

I'm the milk maiden for one,
The mountain girl for the next.
I have compassion and love for mankind,
But sometimes regret.
For the pain is in proportion -
With the joy that I receive,
And I, like the gardner,
Plant many a seed.

The flowers grow and some
Are weakened at the vine.
When I offer food,
I'm rejected sometimes.
But then I'm lead by experienced hands
And pull the weeds, leaving the flowers
To breathe and grow by their
Own demands.

ZCMI 2/69