Poems (Crandall)/Weaning
Weaning
With a cheek of velvet To my shoulder pressed;Sitting in the moonlight, Soothing babe to rest.
Rocking in the moonlight, Sitting up in bed.Bear the milk untasted Away with careful tread.
Little tear drops falling On my neck like rain,Baby's heart most broken, Sobbing all in vain.
Now his eyes are closing, Hush my very heart;Move him gently—gently, See that frightened start?
Tuck the covers softly Round the dimpled feet;Poor, wee, troubled darling Sighing in his sleep.
Thus begins our trials Ere we learn to talk;Weaned at every turning, Down life's crooked walk.
We are weaned from mother; Soon when older grown,Cares and duties call us, Wean us from our home.
Then within some other, By small hands caressed,With a cheek of velvet To the shoulder pressed.
But we cannot keep it, 'Tis not nature's way;Tho' we miss the burden Soon 'twill grow away.
Evening shadows falling, Make the lesson clear;Weaned from every treasure Human hearts hold dear.
Till eternal glory— All our struggles past—Breaks upon our our vision— Weaned from earth at last.