Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/91

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WO little busy hands patting on the window, Two laughing bright eyes looking out at me; Two rosy red cheeks dented with a dimple; Mother-bird is coming; Baby, do you see?

Down by the lilac-bush, something white and azure Saw I in the window as I passed the tree; Well I knew the apron and shoulder-knots of ribbon; All belonged to Baby, looking out for me.

Talking low and tenderly To myself, as mothers will, Spake I softly, "God in heaven, Keep my darling free from ill. Worldly good and worldly honors Ask I not for her from Thee; But from want and sin and sorrow, Keep her ever pure and free."

Two little waxen hands Folded soft and silently; Two little curtained eyes Looking out no more for me; Two little snowy cheeks, Dimple-dented nevermore; Two little trodden shoes, That will never touch the floor; Shoulder-ribbon softly twisted, Apron folded, clean and white; 8