Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IT WOULD BE NICE, by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IT WOULD BE NICE, by                    
First Line: In a musing frame of mind
Last Line: I think myself,—it would be nice.
Subject(s): Children; Childhood


In a musing frame of mind,
Half in earnest, half inclined
To indulge in quiet jest
(Which befits my nature best),
Softly I in accents mild
Called unto my eldest child,
Who, with shout of boyish glee,
Came and perched upon my knee.

Almost six years have flown by
Since that first and lusty cry
Which announced unto the morn
That another soul was born.
When the Infinite, Divine,
Blest me with this boy of mine,
And that time in memory's sway
Seems to me like yesterday.

And those eyes, both large and brown,
Question me as I look down,
Wondering what I will say,
Why I called them from their play.
Oh, they know not what I see
In their depths of purity,
I can see the mother's smile
Reproduced in them awhile.

Scarcely conscious that I spoke,
For those eyes strange thoughts awoke,
I this question asked him now,
As I stroked his noble brow:
"Tell me, little brown-eyed lad,
If another child we had
As a playmate for you here,
Would you like a sister dear?"

Not a second did he wait,
Nor the least bit hesitate,
Like a flash upon a wire
Came this voice of Love's desire,
And it seemed as though it stole
From my breast and inner soul
The same thought which came to me
As he climbed upon my knee.

"It would be nice," he sweetly said,
A sublime light his face o'erspread,
"If I could have my mamma dear
When she was just a girlie here,
I'd like it awf'lly, awf'lly well,
I'm sure I would," and I could tell
By that sweet, gentle, loving tone
Deceit to him is yet unknown.

Then I kissed this little elf,
Mimic of my better self,
Bade him run out-doors and play
With his brother bright and gay,
And I heard the mother croon
To her babe a restful tune,
And though God has blest me thrice,
I think myself,—it would be nice.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net