Poems (Odom)/To My Husband (I am thinking of you, darling)
For works with similar titles, see To My Husband.
TO MY HUSBAND.
I am thinking of you, darling, Oh! so tenderly to-night.And my heart is throbbing low,With a pulse of long-ago,Trembling sweetly in the glow Of its softly shining light,
I am looking back, my darling, Through the flooding light of years,Back to our bridal hour,When our love, a folded flower,Had not known the thrilling power Of a beauty born of tears.
I thought I loved you, darling, With a woman's utmost love;Thought no living heart could bringRicher tribute to its king; Deemed my love a priceless thing, That the gods could not improve.
But there came a time, my darling— Such a precious time of joy,When two years had glided o'er,Then I knew I loved you more,Oh, my husband, than before I had kissed our baby boy.
Other little ones, my darling, Come, our happy hearts to fill,And, as on my loving breastCurly heads were rocked to rest,Every little cheek I pressed Made me love you better still
In the time of grief, my darling, When death's cruel shadow layOn the young lamb of our fold,And the little hands grew coldSlipping softly from our hold— How I loved you on that day!
Three precious babes, my darling, We have laid away to rest—When our jewels we had givenTo the Savior's crown in heaven,When our hearts were tempest-riven Then, I think I loved you best.
Thirteen varied years, my darling, Our plighted lives have known;Thirteen swiftly vanished years,Bringing more of hopes than fears—Many more of smiles than tears These eventful years have shown.
In the sweet hereafter, darling, When the paths our feet have trodPass beyond the river clear,May the love we cherished hereBrighten far each vanished tear— Bless us in the home of God.