Mother's Wages

Mother's Wages

author unknown

If I could charge a cent each time

I washed my children's clothes

Or tied a shoe or gave a bath

Or wiped a runny nose

Or made a bed or acted as

Their judge or referee

It could be possible that I

Could live in luxury.

If I were paid a nickel

For each diaper that I pinned

For every Band-Aid I've applied

When arms and legs were skinned

For every toy that I've picked up

And put back in its niche

There wouldn't be a single doubt

That I could be quite rich.

If just one dime would be my fee

For giving them a pill

For making meals or wiping 

The milk they often spill

For darning scores of tiny socks

For fixing things they break

It wouldn't  be too long before 

A fortune I would make.

Although it's true I don't receive

A solitary cent

Yet I'm repaid in many ways

For all the times I've spent

Their smiles, their love is my reward

For this unending care

And I am richer, yes-by far!

Than just a millionaire.