Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LOST BABIES by ROSA MULHOLLAND

Poem Explanation

First Line: THE LAKE'S A LAKE OF PURPLE WINE
Last Line: "UNTIL THEY COME, BIDE CLOSE TO ME!"
Subject(s): BABIES; DREAMS; MARY. MOTHER OF JESUS; WOMEN - BIBLE; INFANTS; NIGHTMARES; VIRGIN MARY;

@3THE lake's a lake of purple wine,
The sun's gold is beneath the hill,
On the hill's ridge a star doth shine:
I lie a-dreaming: let me dream still.@1

Through a rift in Heaven's blue floor
I see into God's eternity;
Mary sits at an open door,
A score babe-angels press her nigh.

A score young earth-born wanderlings
Gathered new into Mary's fold;
Only to-day they got their wings,
Plumes of azure and rose and gold.

Babes from north and babes from south,
Babes from east and babes from west;
Each has a kiss from Mary's mouth,
Each in turn lies on her breast.

It's "Oh, we are all motherless,
And lost from home," the children cry;
As closer round her knees they press,
There stands a tear in Mary's eye.

"Hushee, hushee, my children sweet;
I hear your mothers following ye.
Hist to the sound of their rushing feet!
Until they come, bide close to me!"



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