Bread and Roses

Maoriland Worker, Volume 13, Issue 45, 7 November 1923, Page 14

Bread and Roses

In a parade of the strikers of Lawrence, Mass. (U.S.A.) some of the young girls carried a banner inscribed "We WantJSread —and Roses, too." • 9 m • As we come marching, marching in the .beauty of the day, A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts grey Are touched with all the radiance that a, Sudden sun discloses. For the people hear us singing, "Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses." As we come marching, marching we battle too for mcn — Foir they are women's children, and we .mother them again; Our lives shall not be -sweated from birth until life closes — Hearts starve, as well as bodies: give us bread as well as roses. A.s we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead, Go crying through our singing, their ancient Song of Bread; Small art and love ana beauty their drudging spirits knew — Yes, ifs Bread we fight for —but we fight for Roses, too! As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days — The rising of the women means the rising of the race— Mo more the drudge and idler —ten. that toll where one reposes— But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and Roses, Br-ead and Roses! —James Oppenheim.