My baby boy sat on the floor;
His big blue eyes were full of wonder
For he had never seen before
That baby in the mirror door—
What kept the two, so near, asunder?
He leaned toward the golden head
The mirror border framed within,
Until twin cheeks, like roses red,
Lay side by side; then softly said,
"I can't get out; can you come in?"
Atlanta Constitution.
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A PRAYER.
God! do not let my loved one die,
But rather wait until the time
That I am grown in purity
Enough to enter Thy pure clime
Then take me, I will gladly go,
So that my love remain below!
Oh, let her stay! She is by birth
What I through death must learn to be,
We need her more on our poor earth
Than Thou canst need in heaven with Thee;
She hath her wings already: I
Must burst this earth-shell ere I fly.
Then, God, take me! we shall be near,
More near than ever, each to each:
Her angel ears will find more clear
My earthly than my heavenly speech;
And still, as I draw nigh to Thee,
Her soul and mine shall closer be.
James Russell Lowell.
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