Poems (Hooper)/My Baby

by Lucy Hamilton Hooper

MY BABY.

Asleep my little baby lies—
My bud new fallen from the skies,
 My pearl just brought from ocean's shell.
Fond similes,—they crowd apace
As close I press the tiny face
 And little form we love so well.

She is our first-born, this fair girl,
This little paly human pearl;
 This best of all gifts Heaven e'er brought.
O Life was all unfinished
Ere in its woof this golden thread
 By kindly angel hands was wrought.

God sent her in autumnal hours,
When heavily the fading flowers
 Drooped 'neath the chilling touch of frost.
'Mid wailing wind and leafless bower
Awoke to life our little flower:
 A sweeter bud than earth had lost.

Now Summer's breath her soft hair stirs:
Not yet a twelvemonth's life is hers;
 O baby, ours so short a space!
What wond'rous gift of magic power,
What royal crown, what golden dower,
 Could ever fill thy vacant place?

God, pluck not back thy little lower!
O Monarch Death, thou hast a dower
 Of many a rare and radiant gem!
Spare, spare to us our little pearl,
Our dearest treasure, this fair girl;
 This one sweet blossom on Life's stem!