TO A CHILD FALLING ASLEEP

Over the dim edge of sleep I lean,

And in her eyes’ illimitable grey distances,

Look down into the shadow-tinted space,—

The cloudy air of sleep,—

To see the rose-lit petal of a Child’s fair soul

Seek dreamily the farther gloom,

Where waking eyes may follow her no more.

One more last time her lids are lifted,

And in her look I read a wistful fare-thee-well;