A CHILD beside a hamlet's fount at play, Her fair face laughing at the sunny day; A gush of waters tremulously bright, Kindling the air to gladness with their light; And a soft gloom beyond of summer trees, Darkening the turf; and, shadowed o'er by these, A low, dim, woodland cottage -- this was all! What had the scene for memory to recall With a fond look of love? What secret spell With the heart's pictures made its image dwell? What but the spirit of the joyous child, That freshly forth o'er stream and verdure smiled, Casting upon the common things of earth A brightness, born and gone with infant mirth! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BLIND by EDGAR LEE MASTERS HUFFMAN'S PHOTOGRAPH OF THE GRAVES OF THE UNKNOWN AT LITTLE BIGHORN by KAREN SWENSON BABY BELL by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH DOROTHY Q; A FAMILY PORTRAIT by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES A CHILD'S SONG OF CHRISTMAS by MARJORIE LOWRY CHRISTIE PICKTHALL |