Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LITTLE CHILDREN, by MARY J. REED First Line: Speak gently to the little child Last Line: The habitant of heaven! Subject(s): Children; Childhood | ||||||||
SPEAK gently to the little child, So guileless and so free, Who with a trustful, loving heart, Puts confidence in thee. Speak not the cold and careless words Which time has taught so well, Nor breathe one thought whose saddened tone Despair might seem to tell. If on his brow there rests a cloud, However light it be, Speak loving words, and let him feel He has a friend in thee; And do not send him from thy side Till on his face shall rest The joyous look and sunny smile, That mark a happy breast. Oh! teach him this should be his arm, To cheer the aching heart To strive where thickest darkness reigns Some radiance to impart; To spread a peaceful, quiet calm, Where dwells the noise of strife, Thus doing good, and blessing all, To spend the whole of life. To love with pure affection deep All creatures, great and small, And still a stronger love to bear For Him who made them all Remember 't is no common task That thus to thee is given. To rear a spirit fit to be The habitant of Heaven! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN CHILDREN SELECTING BOOKS IN A LIBRARY by RANDALL JARRELL COME TO THE STONE ... by RANDALL JARRELL THE LOST WORLD by RANDALL JARRELL A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD by DONALD JUSTICE THE POET AT SEVEN by DONALD JUSTICE |
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