Page:Famous Single Poems (1924).djvu/258

 Over my heart in the days that are flown, No love like mother-love ever has shone; No other worship abides and endures, Faithful, unselfish, and patient, like yours; None like a mother can charm away pain From the sick soul and the world-weary brain; Slumber’s soft calms o’er my heavy lids creep— Rock me to sleep, mother—rock me to sleep!

Come, let your brown hair, just lighted with gold, Fall on your shoulders again as of old; Let it drop over my forehead to-night, Shading my faint eyes away from the light; For with its sunny-edged shadows once more, Haply will throng the sweet visions of yore; Lovingly, softly, its bright billows sweep— Rock me to sleep, mother—rock me to sleep!

Mother, dear mother, the years have been long Since I last listened your lullaby song; Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seem Womanhood’s years have been only a dream. Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace, With your light lashes just sweeping my face, Never hereafter to wake or to weep— Rock me to sleep, mother—rock me to sleep! Elizabeth Akers.