Susan Hawthorne #273 shearers' beds

the beds were low and narrow
iron frame painted black
thin mattress covered
in black and white stripes
they were bulgy the mattresses
not flat like they are today
a kapok pillow which made
me sneeze all night
thin sheets too and prickly
blankets that scratched
your face and yet I recall
these beds with fondness
something about the time
it represents basic and simple
when the shearing season
was done the beds were
folded away or moved
to the sleep-out where we
children slept in summer