Poems (Odom)/Little Josie
LITTLE JOSIE.
Little jewel, gone to heaven—Back to earth the casket given—Ties of nature rudely riven By the chilling hand of death.
Little angel, singing gladly,Tears of anguish flowing madly,Footsteps falling softly, sadly, Round a tiny little grave.
Back again in sorrow slowly,From the little mound so lowly,To the room now sacred, holy, Where poor little Josie died.
'T is a hard, a bitter trial,There to see the half-used vial,On the mantel, near the dial, Used for baby all in vain.
Then each little toy we bought him—Little bucket brother brought him—Letters that his sister taught him, Scattered still about the room.
On the morrow, gloomy faces,Where the tears have left their traces,Sadly take their 'customed places, Leaving now a vacant chair.
While the thought each heart is stilling,Little Willie's eyes are filling,"I'll sit here if papa's willing, Josie's gone to heaven now."[1]
Yes, our darling lives in heaven,Only to his Maker given,Not one precious tie is riven, Ours still, but gone before.
- ↑ These words were spoken by his little brother at the breakfast-table, the morning after the burial.