From:
Graining the Mare
Poetry of Ranch Women
You may get threw the world, but it?ll be very slow
If you listen to all that is said as you go.
You?ll be worried and fretted and kept in a stew,
As meddlesome tongues must have something to do,
For People will talk!
If your quite and modest, you?ll have it presumed
That your humble position is only assumed,
You?re a wolf in sheeps clothing; or else your a fool;
But don?t get excited; Keep perfectly cool,
For People will talk!
And then if you show the least boldness of heart,
Or a slight inclination to take your own part,
They?ll call you an upstart, conceited and vain;
But keep straight ahead, don?t stop to explain;
For people will talk!
If threadbare your shirt, or oldfashion your hat,
Someone will surely take notice of that
And hint very strongly you can?t pay your way;
But mind your own business, whatever they say,
For people will talk!
If your clothes are in fashion, don?t think to escape,
For they criticize them in a different shape,
You?re ahead of your means; Your tailors unpaid;
But pay them no heed; Theres naught to be made,
For people will talk!
Now, the best way to do is to do as you please,
For your mind, at least, will then be at ease;
Of coarse, you will meet with all sorts of abuse,
But don?t think to stop them, its not any use,
For people will talk!
By
June Brander Gilman
