Compose compose beds. / Wives of great men rest tranquil.
-- Speaker (Lines 1-2)

Importance: The poem's first two lines provide the context that the speaker is a housewife with some kind of artistic ambition, which will later be specified as writing. The repetition of "compose" suggests two definitions: physically and poetically making the bed. The second line uses the word "tranquil" ironically because the rest of the poem evokes the chaos of household management.

I do believe it will finish, I do believe it will finish. / Pat ten patent, Pat ten patent.
-- Speaker (Lines 27-8)

Importance: Although Stein's poetry does not intend to have a single definitive interpretation, these lines are likely the speaker's response to the endless tasks and drudgery of household management. The repetition of "I do believe it will finish" sounds like the speaker is chanting this phrase to comfort herself. The phrase "Pat ten Patent" resembles the word "patient" and literally spells out "patent." Perhaps...