FAMILY HISTORY: POETRY Collection written by Elsie Strawn ARMSTRONG
  
  File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Les Howard Strawn
  
  Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
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  Some thoughts on my seventy-second birthday.
  
  This morning, e'er yet
      I arose from my bed,
  My children, dear children,
      Came into my head.
  
  And I thought it might be
      Some amusement for you
  To mark my arrival
      At seventy and two.
  
  My health is quite good
      For one of my age,
  And in some employment
      Again, I engage.
  
  Pieced twenty-six covers
      In about the last year,
  Tied fourteen in comforts,
      And some of them here.
  
  And six I did quilt,
      With help but at two,
  And they are all here
      To divide among you.
  
  And twenty-eight horse nets
      This year I have made,
  To protect the good horses
      In sun and in shade.
  
  And five pairs of stockings
      Likewise I have knit,
  And made me four dresses,
      And well they do fit.
  
  For ladies fine chairs
      Eight tidies I knit,
  Eight covers for cushions,
      For ladies to sit.
  
  And within the last week
      I pieced covers four,
  Cut eight pounds of rags
      To carpet the floor.
  
  This outburst of bragging
         Forgive - be so kind,
  Because I'm so feeble
      In body and mind.
  
  With my eyes I have suffered
      Five long years and o'er,
  And torturing operations,
      But still my eyes are sore.
  
  So much extreme suffering,
      My strength has destroyed
  Old age, care and sorrow
      My mind hath impaired.
  
  What few fleeting moments
      Remain for me here,
  O, May they be spent
      In thy favor and fear!
  
  That when death overtakes me,
      It's close upon my track
  I may lie down in peace,
      Not with sorrow, look back.
  
  Oh!  Jesus, prepare me
      For some humble place,
  A low seat where I may
      But see thy bright face.
  
  When through the bright valley
      And show of death,
  I am called to pass,
      And resigneth my breath,
  
  Oh! Jesus, be with me,
      And grant me thy grace,
  To comfort and cheer me
      In death's cold embrace.
  
  O!  Do not forsake me,
      But lead me safe through
  To the Golden City,
      Jerusalem anew.