THE century's day had just begun When the bride, as shy as a small gray mouse, Came home one eve at the set of sun, To reign a queen in a wee bit house; A wee bit house, but love was there, And its throne was the bride's small rocking-chair. Time fared along, and the rocking-chair Kept pace with the rise and fall of a tune That the little mother carolled there, Slowly and sweetly, rune and croon, Mother and baby and rockaby, As the busy and beautiful years flew by. And the wee bit house was a crowded nest That was left one day for a statelier home, But the small chair stood in its place with the best, Throne for the mother, whoe'er might come. Babies and babies were cradled there In her tender arms in that rocking-chair. The years sped on like the waves in a race, And small grandchildren fluttered in; The dear old hearth was the rallying-place For a bevy of youthful kith and kin. Always the centre, standing there Was the dear little mother's rocking-chair. Like sifted snowflakes the days trooped on, Till the mother heard the angels call; One sunrise broke with the mother gone— Only to heaven—that was all. But, oh, it was lonely lingering where We knelt to her in her little chair. And one of the youngest of all the line, A gay girl, just out of college, sits In that same old chair, and in shade and shine A look of her great-grandmother flits Over her face, so sweet and fair, As she rests in the prim little rocking-chair. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MAKING THE BED by KAREN SWENSON VARIATIONS FOR A SUMMER EVENING by MICHAEL ANANIA MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER BIRTH by THOMAS HOOD THE HAPPY LIFE by MARCUS VALERIUS MARTIALIS ARMS AND THE BOY by WILFRED OWEN |