<h2><SPAN name="page24"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>INEVITABLE</h2>
<p class="poetry">To-day I was so weary and I lay<br/>
In that delicious state of semi-waking,<br/>
When baby, sitting with his nurse at play,<br/>
Cried loud for “mamma,” all his toys
forsaking.</p>
<p class="poetry">I was so weary and I needed rest,<br/>
And signed to nurse to bear him from the room.<br/>
Then, sudden, rose and caught him to my breast,<br/>
And kissed the grieving mouth and cheeks of
bloom.</p>
<p class="poetry">For swift as lightning came the thought to
me,<br/>
With pulsing heart-throes and a mist of tears,<br/>
Of days inevitable, that are to be,<br/>
If my fair darling grows to manhood’s
years;</p>
<p class="poetry"><SPAN name="page25"></SPAN><span class="pagenum">p.
25</span>Days when he will not call for “mamma,”
when<br/>
The world, with many a pleasure and bright joy,<br/>
Shall tempt him forth into the haunts of men<br/>
And I shall lose the first place with my boy;</p>
<p class="poetry">When other homes and loves shall give
delight,<br/>
When younger smiles and voices will seem best.<br/>
And so I held him to my heart to-night,<br/>
Forgetting all my need of peace and rest.</p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.