Poems (Barker)/Which of the two
Which of the Two.
Which of the two I love the best, Or which is the dearer one to me?God only knows, I know the rest, That both are as dear as dear can be.One has eyes that fill with tears At the sight or sound of another's woes,The other carries a world of joy, Laughter and sunshine where'er she goes.
One has a little willful way, That needs the curb of a firm, strong hand,The other will "paddle her own canoe," And bring it safely each time to land.They are fair alike in their mother's eyes, Both are a source of pride and joy;The angels smile on my little girl, But the Heavenly father guards my boy.
And into the watches of the night, When the mother heart with bitter grief,Mourns over the failures of the day, He sendeth a message of relief.For into His hands, the Good and Wise, I place my darlings, pure and sweet,And lay all the wealth of my treasures down, With trembling joy at the Master's feet.
Which of the two in years to come Will ripen the promise these glad days bring?Which of the two will hush the song That now is the only song I sing?God keep my boy with his loving heart, God bless my girl with her sunny eyesDancing into my very life, And making a little Paradise.
Filling the house with a constant glee, Filling the house with a constant noise,Bidding me weep o'er their little woes, And laugh with them o'er their little joys.There are playthings strewn from the attic stair, All the way to the cellar door,A broken horse by the kitchen fire, And a headless doll on the parlor floor.
And who would gather the playthings up, And who would censure the children's glee?O, God, without it this earth would seem A dreary desert indeed to me.Which of the two I love the best, Or which is the dearer one to me?God only knows, I know the rest, That both are as dear as dear can be.