Salt of the Earth

Lydia loves her children,

Cares for the disabled,

She climbs the hill, then

Climbs back down again.

Lydia tends her husband;

Drink soaked and peevish.

Turns her capable hand

To all that they demand.

Lydia earns the money,

Works two jobs with joy;

You'll be ok now honey?

Disability's never funny.

Lydia spends her income

On her grandkids' pride and

None on herself, while some

Would have long since run.

Lydia never gets poorly,

She soldiers on and on.

Sometimes quite obscurely

Sings like Anthony Newley.

Lydia in jeans and t-shirt;

Every day is a workday.

At coping she's an expert.

Daily grind of love and dirt.

Lydia finds her pleasure

In concert with her clients,

Who love without measure

Know the source of treasure.

Lydia's unaware of her worth,

Thinks nothing of herself,

Knows nothing of the dearth

Of loving souls on earth.