"Hands outspread,
Round and rosy,
Hands to hold
A country posy
Or a baby or a lamb--"
Mansfield places these two rural woman within the framework of simplicity, as if their very bodies are designed to exist within this environment. They have capable, large hands which are suited to multiple tasks of their occupations on the farm. Respecting diversity, Mansfield displays her understanding of the complexity of rural life.
"They must learn that pointing's rude,
They must sit quite still at the table,
And must always eat the food"
In her instruction to new mothers, Mansfield sarcastically alludes to the multitude of expectations parents place upon their children regarding decorum. From their instincts to their energy, children are taught that they are unacceptable. Here, Mansfield uses wit to point out these expectations or "rules."
"If they fall, they must not cry,
Though it's known how painful this is;
No--there's always Mother by
Who will comfort them with kisses."
Here at last Mansfield's ruse falls apart. The first two stanzas of this poem allude sarcastically to how well-behaved children must be trained to be, but here she gives herself away when she admits how painful falling down can be. Here emphatic "no" renounces the whole routine; instead, offering free love as the only real rule of parenting.
"But then there comes that moment rare
When, for no cause that I can find,
The little voices of the air
Sound above all the sea and wind."
Mansfield is a patient observer. At the seaside, she notes how even the waves cannot drown out the diminuative cries of nature -- the insects and leaves, etc. She listens for these moments when the tiny voices peak through the cacophony of sounds.
