I remember childhood,
Not a period of softness,
Though I slept on a featherbed,
With pillows made of feathers,
Goose feathers, I guess.
Mama had some geese once
Before I was six. But a school of hardknocks,
Where I took care of myself
And little brother
As best I could;
With big brother
Standing guardian
Over us two. Mama and Daddy working,
Doing their best
To eke out a living
For us kids;
Their discipline, tough,
Though at times lenient,
Their love enough, I guess.

Dorothy Thomas Snyder

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-remember-childhood/