Poems (Chitwood)/The Child Teacher

by Mary Louisa Chitwood

THE CHILD TEACHER.

As a small spear of steel may turn aside
The mighty thunderbolt, so, oft a word
May change the whole strong current of a life.
And I remember of a little child
O'er whom the soft hues of the summer days
Had sweetly brightened but few times, and then
The tiny feet grew weary of the way;
Although for her it had been fair and soft,
With dewy mosses and sweet flowers; for she
Was the heart-treasure of a man for whom
The seals of gold were ever loosened. Soft,
Soft was the pillow and the couch of down;
And daintily around the slight fair form
The silken robes were folded; and the light
Came dimly to the half closed eyes, and not
A sound of discord floated through the room.
Yet, when the shining angels have entwined
Affection's shreds around a human heart,
The arms of earth-love must unclasp their hold;
And so the soft light faded from her eyes,—
The little form grew less; and when the hands
Were raised, they fell, like snow-flakes, softly back.
The strong man trembled when he saw her feet
Stepping so close the shadowy halls of death.
But when her words were faintest whispers, he
Bent his tall form and heard her say, "The path
Is very beautiful that winds along
Unto the golden pathway of the sky:
E'en now a light streams o'er the gates of death,—
'Tis but a moment's darkness,—and there stands
A gentle angel that will let me in."
Then stood he still, that proud, stern-hearted man;
And saw his little child, who, in her life,
Trembled in terror when the winds of night
Howled by, pass calmly thro' the dark clasped gates
Of death, with the bright shining star of Faith
Beaming above her, calm and radiantly.
Like an ice-wreath beneath the sun, his heart,
So stern and cold, was melted; and he sought
The simple child-faith, that could lead him on,
Untrembling, through the valley of the shade.