Poems (Brown)/The little Boots
THE LITTLE BOOTS.
Only two little boots by the fire so bright,Only two little stockings to mend to-night;The one who owns them is snug in bed,Where the moonbeams dance on his curly head.
These little boots gave me trouble to-day,Bringing in mud from out-door play;Scattering pebbles over the floor,Tracking dirt in at the great hall door.
These little boots gave me sorrow to-day,Straying from mother's sight away;Climbing trees, and wading streams,Chasing shadows and sunny beams.
These little stockings, so worn and gray,Have these tiny treasures caused trouble to-day?Ah! indeed they have, in racing about,In joining plays and merry shout.
Alas! I have had trouble to-day,And yet would I give these treasures away? Would I have the places empty to-nightOf the little boots with toes so bright?
Ah me! my very heart will breakIf away from my sight these boots you take;My home would be dreary, my young heart sad,And there would be nothing to make me glad.
So there's only two little boots so bright,Only two little stockings to mend to-night,Only one little flower, so feeble and slightOnly one to smile with so silver a light.
There was a time when four were there,When four little faces peeped over my chair;Four pairs of boots, so shiny and bright,And four pairs of stockings, so pure and white,
Hung near the fire, and chimney tall;For the feet that wore them were dimpled and small.But my children are gone, their spirits have fled,And they are sleeping undisturbed with the dead.
I sadly miss those three loved onesThat are resting to-night in their silent tombs;I miss their shouts and merry play,For three little forms are not here to-day.