Dust if
you must
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Dust if
you must, but wouldn’t it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if
you must, but there’s not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read:
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.
Dust if
you must, but the world’s out there
With sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.
Rose Milligan was born in Yorkshire, but later moved to Lancaster, Lancashire, where she indulged her love of fell-walking. She died in 1994, leaving behind friends and a loving family, including great-great-grandchildren.
For those
who are driven to dust – that is, the act of dusting, AI says:
Yes, regular dusting is essential for health and home maintenance. It removes allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and pollen that cause respiratory issues, while also preventing the buildup of harmful indoor chemical contaminants. Dusting improves indoor air quality, protects furniture from damage, and stops dust from attracting more dust.
I love that poem - I've read it before.
ReplyDeleteI do dust here (not as often as I should) but I figure that if I am going to have all this stuff around me (treasures/clutter 😉 ) then I need to CARE for it & clean it & look after it - otherwise I am in danger of becoming one of those hoarder houses that we see on the TV ... so I do dust. (sorry for the long drawn out explanation).
A moderate amount of dusting is necessary.
ReplyDeleteMy mother had that poem somewhere about the house. Ironic because I was raised to do the dusting every weekend- one of my chores.
ReplyDeleteYou can dust AND do all those other things.
ReplyDeleteI've been telling myself I really must dust soon, but haven't yet done any dusting except the TV and the cabinet/drawers it stands on.
ReplyDeleteI prefer Ms. Milligan's way of thinking vs. AI's...and I think the former would be much prouder of my approach to life than the latter would be. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do not need encouragement to neglect dusting, but the poem is a wonderful justification.
ReplyDeleteGreat...now I feel compelled to get a rag and polish.
ReplyDeleteI damp dust otherwise it just moves the dust around, damp with polish not water.
ReplyDelete"Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
ReplyDeleteTo paint a picture, or write a letter....."
That might be true, but why do we have husbands and teenage children, if not to do the vital stuff?
I need to get dusting :) I have always enjoyed this poem. I enjoyed the info. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me of this poem.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. That has reminded me that I need to give the house its annual dusting.
ReplyDeleteI've discovered that the dust keeps until I get to it. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the most dust free house, mum was always cleaning, dust was never allowed. I'm more relaxed, I do dust a couple times a week, with a hand mop rather than cloth and spray, do just a flick.
ReplyDeleteLove the poem. I just let the dust builld up and when it's glareingly obvious I'll dust. But I do dust bits and pieces which annoy me. We have far too many knick knacks. It's a tedious job
ReplyDeleteI liked the poem. And the picture reminded me of when I was a child and my mother wanted to begin teaching me at an early age how to keep house. I was in charge of dusting all of her do dads that she had on every open tabletop. And of course I had to do it without breaking anything, lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm horrible at dusting. I'm not even sure how many layers are on some of my furniture. Maybe I should do some dusting this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about dusting is that the moment you get it done you have to start again.
ReplyDeleteThat is fun. I have never felt compelled to dust.
ReplyDeleteOne of my neighbours used to say “ the mucks there when we’re not Alison “ Amen to that. Love the poem.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I'm sorry, but you just proved to me how useless AI is. Once a year is my routine.
ReplyDeletethis is my first reading of the poem and I like and agree with the author. the nook with all the glass, gets more dusting than the house does because glass shows dust and with added lights it spotlights the dust. the rest of the house I do when I can't stand to see it anymore. as when if you move an item you can see where it was sitting. I have done that since the day I retired and I am still alive and kicking. before retirement I dusted every Saturday
ReplyDeleteI wonder who will dust me up after I'm gone???
ReplyDeleteSo 'Dust if you Must' - but a walk in the winter sun can be so enjoyable (that's when it does shine of course!)
ReplyDeletehttps://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/2016/01/dust-if-you-must.html
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
Thank you, everyone. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem, if not
ReplyDeletefor the first time for everyone, and that most of you agree with the sentiments therein.
This is one of my favorite poems.
ReplyDeleteGood sentiment. I prefer painting to dusting but ttytt I can enjoy both.
ReplyDelete