THE DAWNING

Woke up this morning

To the kiss of warm sunshine

On my cheek;

Saw my best-beloved sleeping softly

By my side;

At the window, open wide

I breathed fresh sweet air;

Watched a passing breeze caress

The wistful fronds of the weeping willow.

I tiptoed softly to the quiet room

Where my youngest-born still slept;

And I smiled,

Tenderly smoothing the long dark hair

Spread wildly on her pillow.

Then I saw new shoes and plain black dress

And I wept

As I remembered -

I was no longer there.