Poems (Chandler)/My Boy

by Louise Chandler Moulton

MY BOY.

HAD a little bird once;
 But he has flown away:
I had a little boy once,
 But ah, he did not stay.

What do they up in Heaven,
 That Bird and Boy should fly,
And leave my home so empty
 To seek the far-off sky?

What do they up in Heaven?—
 Perchance the angels sing,
And, when they heard that music,
 My Bird and Boy took wing.

The heavenly flowers bloom always,
 The skies are always bright,
And all the little children
 Play there from morn till night.

But do they never weary,
 And long to go to rest
Like little human children
 Upon a mother's breast?

My home and arms are empty,
 My longing heart is sore,
Since they who sought the summer
 Come back to me no more.

---

How softly falls the twilight,—
 The sunset fires are out:
A wind that comes from Heaven
 Blows slowly round about.

I close my eyes and listen,
 And presently I hear
A small voice through the darkness
 Sigh, "Mother—I am near.

"Come, take me in, dear mother,
 And rock me as of old:
I used to be so happy
 Within your tender hold!

"There sorrow cannot find me,
 And pain shall pass me by,—
When you enfold who love me,
 What danger can come nigh?

"So safe I was in Heaven,
 So bright the shining days!
But, from afar, your weeping
 Disturbed the hymns of praise,

"Till the dear Lord and gentle
 Sent me to soothe your pain,
And, if you fain would keep me,
 He bids me to remain."

---

I kissed his tender eyelids,
 I laid him on my heart;
And yet, when came the dawning,
 I prayed him to depart.

I feared the unknown future,
 I feared the paths untried,—
How dared I keep my darling
 When Heaven was opened wide?

But yet my heart is lonely
 Since Boy and Bird have fled,—
I hear the silence only,
 And wish that I were dead.