Machines (1908)
Click, click, click, click, click, click, click,
Another day begun,
And many a thousand stitches yet,
Before my task is done.
Click, click, click, click, click, click, click
Is the only sound I hear ;
And the greatest dread is a broken thread,
For dinner-time draws near.
A hasty crust, and click, click, click.
Is the needle's cry once more ;
Still click, click, click, click, click, click,
Two dozen yet in store.
Click, click, click, click, click, click, click,
The light begins to fade ;
Still goes the weary click, click, click,
Another dozen made.
A morsel of bread a cup of tea,
And click, click, click again :
An aching chest, and a cry for rest,
And limbs so full of pain.
And still one dozen more to do,
And daylight fading fast ;
Click, click, click, click, click, click, click,
They're nearly done at last.
Slower and slower goes the thread--
Courage, 'tis only one ;
Click, click, click, click, click; click, click,
Thank God the task is done !
Then I throw myself on my little bed,
To gather, what rest I may ;
But my brain seems full of that weary sound
Haunting me night and day.
Visions of needles for ever at work,
Of garments of endless seams ;
And a constant dread of a broken thread
All jumbled up in my dreams.
So I toss and tumble the whole night long,
Till the light shines througn the pane ;
And, then, ah me ! the reel I see,
And the task begins again.
--C. E. BROWN.
Notes
From the Wagga NSW newspaper the Worker Thursday 16 January 1908, p. 19.