SADIE AND MAUD by Gwendolyn Brooks.

Maud went to college.
Sadie stayed at home.
Sadie scrapped for life
With a fine tooth comb.

She didn’t leave a tangle in.
Her comb found every strand.
Sadie was one of the livingest chits
In all the land.

Sadie bore two babies
Under her maiden name.
Maud and Ma and Papa
Nearly died of shame.
Every one but Sadie
Nearly died of shame.

When Sadie said her last so-long
Her girls struck out from home.
(Sadie had left as heritage
Her fine tooth comb.)

Maud, who went to college,
Is a thin brown mouse.
She is living all alone
In this old house….

From Blacks by Gwendolyn Brooks (Chicago Third World Press), copyright 1991.

Reference:
Gwendolyn Brooks

Category: Healing,