The Runaway Donkey, and Other Rhymes for Children

by Emilie Poulsson

CLOTHES

	We people wear so many things, Almost the whole creation It takes our clothing to supply, For use or decoration. The fishes dress in shining scales Of every gorgeous color; The birds wear pretty feather suits, Some gayer and some duller. The cat, the dog, the cow, the horse, The squirrel and the rabbit, Wear coats of fur; from small to great, All have the selfsame habit. But people wear so many things! Almost the whole creation It takes our clothing to supply For use or decoration. A flannel jacket from the sheep Who spared the wool with pleasure: And from the silkworm ribbons gay. And every silken treasure.

A dress from off the cotton plant.
Spun, woven, colored, printed:
A breastpin made of fishes' scales.
All delicately tinted.

Of tortoise-shell my lady's comb.
And many another notion;
Her jewels from the mines are brought.
Her pearls from depths of ocean.

The golden straws from humble field
Are plaited for a bonnet,
The feather-coated ostrich gives
The plumes we place upon it.

From tropic trees the milky sap
Men constantly are getting,
And making into rubber shoes
To save our feet a wetting:

While boots and shoes of every sort,
Of thick or thinnest leather,
Are made from skins of animals,
Tanned, cut, and sewed together.

Yes, surely, as I said before,
Almost the whole creation
It takes our clothing to supply,
For use or decoration.

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