A Mother’s Prayer
Last night I dreamed—I never can forget;
I saw my son a prisoner at the bar.
A stripling with the honest eyes of Youth,
My baby strayed away from me so far.
And I, his mother, had to stand
And see him there so helpless and so dear;
God knows I thought I had done right,
But there stood leering Crime, and Shame, and Fear.
Lord, help me to keep the home fires burning bright
And give my child his need of help and love.
Help me keep faith with him, as Thee with me,
And guard this life entrusted from above.
—Nellie Putnam Chapman.
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