When Day is Done

In Short

Edgar A. Guest’s When Day is Done is a reassuring collection of domestic and reflective verse that celebrates the quiet virtues of early twentieth-century American family life. Moving through the small routines of home, the outdoors, and neighborhood fellowship, the book captures a working father’s dedication to his children, his reverence for nature, and his steady faith during moments of grief and labor. It has endured as a timeless tribute to the comforting rhythms of domestic peace, reminding readers that life's true riches lie not in material fortune, but in honor, friendship, and the contentment found at one's own hearth.

The Story

The book opens at the threshold of evening. Leaving behind the noisy demands of the town, the speaker returns to his quiet street and welcoming gate, shedding his daily cares where his wife reigns and his children play. From this serene vantage point, the narrative of the volume unfolds through reflections on the passage of time, the choices of adulthood, and the unadulterated innocence of youth. The speaker looks back on his path, acknowledging that while he never built a grand fortune or earned a place on the tablets of fame, he chose the far greater wealth of friendship, nature, and the joyful hours spent romping with his children.

As the days turn, the book moves through the humorous and affectionate trials of household life. The narrative follows the domestic sphere: a young boy nursing a sore stomach after overindulging in cake and pie, a daughter laboring through her tedious piano practice, a father struggling to clean the furnace while covering himself in soot, and gentle arguments between husband and wife over worn-out rugs and news left untold. Youthful mischief is observed with deep warmth—boys lose their hats, complain with a muttered "Aw Gee Whiz!" when called away from play, and brag of becoming the leader of their neighborhood gang. Alongside these tender domestic scenes, the speaker steps outside into the natural world, marveling at sky, trees, and apple blossoms that no rich man can hoard, finding that God's beauty belongs equally to all who walk the earth.

Yet the journey is not without its shadows. The book confronts the inevitable arrival of sorrow, death, and human weakness. When grief strikes and friends stand mute before loss, the narrative turns to a steadfast reliance on a higher Power to sustain the soul. It reflects on the moral peaks of valor, urging young boys to choose honor and clean living over victory gained by deceit. As the years advance, the speaker looks upon his graying head and acknowledges that youth has flown, leaving behind the cherished pages of memory. Ultimately, the collection reaches its quiet conclusion at the fireside. Sitting on the porch or gathered near the grate with visiting neighbors as the sun sinks in the west, the speaker arrives at a peaceful acceptance of life's plan, confident that every trial holds a purpose and that a life spent loving others is supremely complete.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Leaving the busy town behind, the speaker returns home at dusk to find his children waiting at the gate. He casts off his daily worries to embrace the simple comfort of his family and hearth.

Looking backward Standing on the far edge of life, the speaker reflects on choosing friendship, nature, and family over the pursuit of silver, gold, and public fame. He declares he would make the exact same choice again.

Domestic trials and humor The small adventures of childhood and home unfold, from a boy regretting his overeaten stomach and a daughter enduring her scale practice, to a father emerging soot-covered from cleaning the cellar furnace.

Honor in the world The narrative turns to the struggles of adult life, praising the man who remains honest even when the truth hurts, while championing fair treatment and brotherhood for every working man under the sun.

Facing sorrow with faith When loss strikes and human words fail to comfort, the speaker turns to quiet trust in God, believing that present trials and mysteries will one day be made clear on a fairer soil.

Evening contentments As autumn nights arrive and life nears its twilight, the speaker sits on the porch with his pipe and dog. Surrounded by visiting friends and family, he finds total peace in his home.

The People

• The Father (Speaker) — The guiding voice of the collection, he wants nothing more than to provide for his family, remain true to his moral standards, and come home to a house filled with joy. He struggles against the lures of greed, the fatigue of daily toil, and the frustration of lost tempers, ending up entirely content with his humble life.
• The Mother — The heart of the home, she manages the household, mends stockings by the fire, and gentle-naturedly nudges her husband when he steps out of line or fails to see the need for new parlor furniture. She remains a steadfast source of love and courage.
• The Children (Bud and Marjorie) — Eager, mischievous, and full of life, they seek endless play, occasionally suffer from overeating or bee stings, and groan over daily chores. They grow from toddlers into gang leaders and young maidens, transforming their parents' world through their laughter.
• Contradictin' Joe — A quarrelsome, contrary acquaintance who cannot hear a story without stepping up to disagree and correct the speaker, serving as a humorous example of social friction.
• Dan McGann — A passionate, hard-working bench laborer who fiercely defends his adopted country, waving his Stilson wrench to demand loyalty to the flag over foreign political creeds.

In Its Own Voice

"When day is done and I've come once more / To my quiet street and the friendly door, / Where the Mother reigns and the children play / And the kettle sings in the old-time way, / I throw my coat on a near-by chair / And say farewell to my pack of care."

The speaker describes the immediate sense of relief and quiet sanctuary that meets him the moment he returns to his family after a long day of work.

"I haven't built much of a fortune to leave to those who shall carry my name, / And nothing I've done shall entitle me now to a place on the tablets of fame."

Looking back on his life's accomplishments, the narrator plainly acknowledges his lack of worldly wealth and historical renown.

"Under the toiler's grimy shirt, / Under the sweat and the grease and dirt, / Under the rough outside you view, / Is a man who thinks and feels as you."

The poem reminds the reader that behind every working man's rough exterior lies a human soul with shared dreams, heartbreaks, and dignity.

What It's Really About

At its core, When Day is Done argues that true success is measured by the strength of one's relationships and the integrity of one's character, rather than financial gain. It explores the sanctity of the domestic space as a refuge from a competitive, greedy world. The book wrestles with the inevitable loss of youth, urging adults not to forget the innocent freedom of childhood or to let bitterness close their hearts to others. It addresses the universal reality of suffering, asserting that trials are meant to draw people together in empathy and faith. Above all, it champions democratic equality, contending that the finest things in life—nature, friendship, love, and moral self-respect—are freely accessible to every person regardless of rank or wealth.

Why Read It Today

Readers seeking a nostalgic, unpretentious retreat from the high-stress speed of modern life will find genuine comfort in this collection. Reading it feels like sitting beside a crackling hearth while an old friend shares plainspoken wisdom over a cup of tea. Its musical rhythms, familiar domestic scenes, and easy sentiment stay with you, offering a quiet reminder to slow down and appreciate the people in your own living room.

Modern readers should be prepared for its early twentieth-century period attitudes and vernacular. The verse frequently employs regional dialect and colloquial contractions—such as "jes'," "feller," "stummick," and "wimmin"—to reflect everyday speech. Its idealization of gender roles and intense, straightforward patriotism (as seen in the fiery speeches of Dan McGann) reflect the distinct cultural atmosphere of post-World War I America. For those who approach it with an appreciation for its historical moment, the book remains a deeply honest, heartwarming celebration of human kindness, humble living, and the eternal solace of coming home.