No Drop in the Bucket

She rubbed and she scrubbed, polished and shined

Washed all the spiders and dusted the bees

Vacuumed and swept every cobweb in sight

Then wearily stooped to her knees

No drop in the bucket, no mop in the hand

Could sparkle and dazzle that kitchen so well  

The tears she was crying would dampen the floor

And whiten the spots where they fell

That old yellowed gown now all torn up and stained

Was perfect for buffing and spiffing the tiles

Her tears kept on falling until there she lay

Asleep on the floor like a child

She dreamed of his blue eyes as real as could be

That handsome and dashing young soldier she loved

They danced in the moonlight so fancy and free

Inspired by the stars high above

How sadly she missed him when he went away

Expecting him soon to reply to her mail

She wrote him quite often and hoped he was fine

But her letters were to no avail

So deep in her thoughts she would keep him alive

Not knowing just how to determine his fate

And she’d clean that old house like it welcomed his soul

While her heart she hung out on the gate