I went to the dances at Chandlerville, br And played snap-out at Winchester. br One time we changed partners, br Driving home in the midnight of middle June, br And then I found Davis. br We were married and lived together for seventy years, br Enjoying, working, raising the twelve children, br Eight of whom we lost br Ere I had reached the age of sixty. br I spun, I wove, I kept the house, I nursed the sick, br I made the garden, and for holiday br Rambled over the fields where sang the larks, br And by Spoon River gathering many a shell, br And many a flower and medicinal weed-- br Shouting to the wooded hills, singing to the green valleys. br At ninety-six I had lived enough, that is all, br And passed to a sweet repose. br What is this I hear of sorrow and weariness, br Anger, discontent and drooping hopes? br Degenerate sons and daughters, br Life is too strong for you-- br It takes life to love Life.