A PAIR of very chubby legs Encased in scarlet hose; A pair of little stubby boots With rather doubtful toes; A little kilt, a little coat, Cut as a mother can, And lo! before us strides in state The Future's "coming man." His eyes, perchance, will read the stars, And search their unknown ways; Perchance the human heart and soul Will open to their gaze; Perchance their keen and flashing glance Will be a nation's light, -- Those eyes that now are wistful bent On some "big fellow's" kite. That brow where mighty thought will dwell In solemn, secret state; Where fierce ambition's restless strength Shall war with future fate; Where science from now hidden caves New treasures shall outpour, -- 'T is knit now with a troubled doubt, Are two, or three cents, more? Those lips that, in the coming years, Will plead, or pray, or teach; Whose whispered words, on lightning flash, From world to world may reach; That, sternly grave, may speak command, Or, smiling, win control, -- Are coaxing now for gingerbread With all a baby's soul! Those hands -- those little busy hands -- So sticky, small, and brown, Those hands, whose only mission seems To pull all order down, -- Who knows what hidden strength may lie Within their future grasp, Though now 't is but a taffy-stick In sturdy hold they clasp? Ah, blessings on those little hands, Whose work is yet undone! And blessings on those little feet, Whose race is yet un-run! And blessings on the little brain That has not learned to plan! Whate'er the Future hold in store, God bless the "coming man"! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WESTERN JOURNALIST by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS TO MR. BOWRING ON HIS POETICAL TRANSLATIONS by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD PSALMS 71. PRAYER AND SONG OF THE AGED CHRISTIAN by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE UNDER THE TREES by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |