Poems (Toke)/Once again the day is dawning

by Emma Toke

NCE again the day is dawning,
 We so oft have loved to meet;
Once again, our children's voices
 Thy birthmorn, beloved, greet.

Blithely as they ring around thee,
 In their tones of childish glee,
Yet how true and warm the blessings
 Breathed from those young hearts on thee.

And if they, in life's glad spring-time,
 Feel for thee such earnest love,
Deeper far the fond emotion,
 That my graver heart must prove.

Years of tender, warm affection,
 Gentleness and changeless truth,
Every day must closer bind me
 To the one beloved of youth.

[n the hours of hope and gladness,
 Thou hast made each joy more dear;
In the days of deepest sadness,
 Still thy love could soothe and cheer.

Well, then, may I fondly welcome
 This bright morn which gave thee birth;
Well may Autumn's chastened glory
 Fairer seem than spring-time's mirth.

Yet, though loved ones cluster round us,
 Still, an angel face is near,
A voice upon mine ear is ringing,
 Earth no more can ever hear.

One sweet flower for us has faded,
 The dearest of our infant train;
Yet to this sad world we would not
 Recall her, if we could, again.

But only pray each year may find us
 Nearer to that blessed shore,
Where she is safe from every sorrow,
 And we may meet to part no more.

E.

October 6, 1853,