EVENING came, a child was missing, Where she was, we could not tell, -- Hiding, thought we, just for mischief; Full of fun was little Bell. Soon we found the little darling, Hiding in a grassy dell; All alone? No, gentle angels Kept safe guard o'er little Bell. Her sweet chubby cheek was resting On her little dimpled hands; While her sunny curls were shining On her brow, in golden bands. Silken eyelids softly closing O'er the dancing eyes of blue, Kept the envious stars from seeing Earth can have her diamonds too. A stick for gun and flag of bonnet By her on the grass-bed lay; Ah, poor Bell, our cruel warfare Came to naught, like children's play. Naught, alas! but blood and sorrows, By each hearth a vacant place; Years of joy can not redeem us As a nation from disgrace. Gentle be thy life's sweet slumbers; Purity in thy heart dwell; Every blessing rest upon thee -- Is my prayer for little Bell. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MUSIC by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE TRASH MEN by CHARLES BUKOWSKI CONTRA MORTEM: THE WATER by HAYDEN CARRUTH MY DEATH AS A GIRL I KNEW by JAMES GALVIN THE LAST MAN'S CLUB by JAMES GALVIN |